Hepatomegaly of the liver: diagnosis, symptoms, treatment

Hepatomegaly of the liver is a serious pathology, characterized by an increase in its size. Its occurrence is accompanied by many diseases that affect this organ.

What is this pathology fraught with? What symptoms indicate its presence? How is the diagnosis carried out? What is needed for treatment? Now it is worth giving answers to these and many other questions, since everyone should know what it is - liver hepatomegaly. And about the treatment, too, since this pathology is not rare.

Causes of occurrence

Hepatomegaly of the liver can be a complication of many serious diseases, the signs of which the person has ignored (or if the treatment turned out to be of poor quality). The reasons are highlighted in the following list:

• Infiltrative processes. These include fat accumulation, leukemia or lymphoma, amyloidosis, extramedullary hematopoiesis, diabetes, cytomegalovirus, glycogenosis, Gaucher disease, etc.
• Vascular congestion. As a rule, it becomes a consequence of Baddi-Chiari disease or insufficiency of the right ventricle of the heart.
• Diseases of an inflammatory nature. Typically, cirrhosis and drug / viral hepatitis.
• Tumor masses. The most dangerous liver adenoma, primary carcinoma, nodular focal hyperplasia and metastatic cancer.
• Polycystic
• Hepatic diseases.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Chronic infections and intoxications.
• Tumor infiltration of the liver.
• Leukemia and other hemoblastoses.

In any case, the exact cause of the pathology is determined by the doctor. Although, since the liver does not increase on its own, the patient probably guesses what exactly was the prerequisite.

Anyway, you need to be treated, and as quickly as possible. In advanced cases, the liver sometimes reaches gigantic proportions, occupying more than half of the abdominal cavity. The weight of such an organ reaches 10-20 kilograms.

Symptoms

Various signs may indicate the presence of liver hepatomegaly. The overall clinical picture, as a rule, is represented by the following symptoms:

• Discomfort in the right hypochondrium.
• Painful sensations that increase with movement.
• Dyspeptic complaints, manifested in flatulence, impaired stool and nausea.
• Bad breath.
• Rashes and pruritus.
• Compaction of the parenchyma (structural cells) of the liver.
• Yellowing of the skin and sclera.
• Signs of intoxication.

The list goes on. In fact, the symptoms depend on what was the cause of the enlargement of the liver. With cirrhosis, for example, the skin acquires an earthy tint, a tendency to bleeding appears. And with benign formations in humans, an asymmetric increase in the abdomen is often observed.

The most meager symptoms are observed with degenerative changes and toxic damage. And the liver can reach the most impressive sizes in case of amyloidosis - a violation of protein metabolism.

Diagnostics

Most often, moderate hepatomegaly of the liver is detected in patients. That is, its insignificant change in size. It is impossible to identify it yourself, because at this stage the symptoms are not specific. And visually notice an increase in the body in volumes and is completely unrealistic.

Diagnostics required. Without it, it will not be possible to learn how to treat liver hepatomegaly, since the cause of the pathology will not be clear. Diagnostics includes the following procedures:

• Biochemical and clinical blood test.
• Collection of liver function tests.
• Carrying out analyzes on oncological markers.
• Coagulogram.
• The immunogram.
• Roentgenography.
• Fecal analysis.
• CT scan.
• Ultrasound of the liver.

The signs of hepatomegaly by these methods can be confirmed, in addition, it turns out to find out the exact causes of the formation of the syndrome. After placing all the points over i, the doctor writes for his patient the most effective treatment regimen.

What is revealed during research?

Continuing to consider the topic of diagnosis, it is worth paying attention to the issue of ultrasound of the liver.

Hepatomegaly appears on the scan as a focal lesion. Near it, it is possible to notice zones characterized by a reduced accumulation of radionuclides. Topographic changes in position, changes in the structure of organ segments and, naturally, its increase are also noticeable.

The advantage of the ultrasound method is that with its help it is possible to find out focal lesions of any nature. After conducting the study, the doctor determines not only the degree of enlargement of the liver, but also the state of the spleen and other neighboring organs.

However, this is not enough. And then you have to resort to echohepatography. This method involves sending into the depths of the organ under investigation ultrasonic pulses that are reflected from it and form an image of its density on the screen.

And echoes of hepatomegaly of the liver, in fact, play a crucial role in determining the diseases that caused the enlargement of the liver. Here are the results of the procedure:

• Homogeneous organ echostructure. It is observed in heart failure, parasitic disease and acute hepatitis.
• Inhomogeneous echostructure. It indicates cirrhosis, fatty hepatosis and chronic hepatitis.
• Disturbed echostructure. It says that there may be an abscess, cyst, or tumor in the liver.

In addition, echo hepatography helps determine the degree of pathology. It is pronounced, moderate and unexpressed.

Hepatoprotectors

Today, modern medicine offers a lot of effective methods, resorting to which, you can get rid of a particular disease. If we talk about the treatment of liver hepatomegaly, then the first thing you need to talk about hepatoprotectors.

What it is? Drugs that protect the liver from the damaging effects of other medicines, as well as preserve its health and help restore normal functioning. The most popular hepatoprotectors are:

• "Essential N" and "Essential Fort N". The basis of these drugs are essential phospholipids. The price starts from 500-1500 p.
• Essliver Forte. The composition of this medication includes vitamins of the PP, E, B group, as well as phospholipids. There is a drug from 250 rubles and above.
• "Phosphoncial". The main active ingredients of these capsules are C-100 lipoid and silymarin. The price of the drug starts from 300 r.
• The Cheetah. This drug is made from phospholipids and vitamin E. Its price starts at 300 r.
• "Phosphogliv". This medication includes the trisodium salt of glycyrrhizic acid and phospholipids. The price starts at 500 p.
• "Rezalyut." The composition of this product includes phospholipids, soybean oil, vitamin E, glycerol mono / dialconate, medium chain triglycerides and a lipoid PPL 600. The price is 600 p.

There are still two types of hepatoprotectors of animal origin - these are Sirepar and Hepatosan. They are made from organ hydrolyzate and pork liver cells, respectively. Such a specific “raw material” determines the presence in the preparations of amino acids, low molecular weight metabolites, and cyanocobalamin.

There is also a medication "Progepar". It is prescribed both for moderate hepatomegaly of the liver, and for more severe conditions. The medication helps to activate blood circulation in the body, restore the structure of hepatocytes and inhibit the formation of connective tissue. In addition, the drug positively affects liver function and increases diuresis.

Diuretics

These are called diuretics that help cleanse the blood and reduce the load on the liver. Their intake is also indicated for the treatment of this disease. Here are the most famous drugs from this group that can be prescribed for hepatomegaly and diffuse changes in the liver:

• Saluretics that remove potassium and sodium ions from the body: Diacarb, Fonurit, Furosemide, Priretanid, Decidratin, Indapamed.
• Osmotic drugs that normalize plasma pressure in the shortest possible time: Urea, Mannitol, and Sorbitol.
• Potassium-sparing drugs: Triamur, Spironolactone, Amyloride, Aldactone, Triamteron.
• Calcium-saving drugs: Indiur, Arindap, Gigroton, Pamid, Retapres, Indap.

If there is no desire to use diuretic drugs, then you can pay attention to substances of natural origin. Of these, you can make diuretics yourself:

• Lemon juice just saves you from swelling. It is enough to dilute it with water and drink for preventive and therapeutic purposes.
• Cranberry juice is an instant diuretic that also positively affects the functioning of the kidneys and the genitourinary system. You can drink it clean.
• A weak tea with the addition of natural ginger or an infusion on this root cleanses the body of toxins well.
• Decoctions of dandelion, nettle and cranberry leaves also have the properties of diuretics.
• Apple cider vinegar, cabbage, eggplant, cucumbers, watermelons - all this also belongs to the list of effective diuretics.

But even natural remedies must be used with caution. Otherwise, you can overdo it and bring the body to dehydration.

The drug "Karsil"

I would like to talk about this medication separately, since we are talking about treatment and signs of liver hepatomegaly. What is Karsil? This is a herbal preparation, the basis of which is an extract of milk thistle. The most active substance is silibinin, which has a hepatoprotective effect.

It is believed that Karsil is one of the most effective medications that can fight the signs of hepatomegaly of diffuse liver changes.

You need to take it three times a day, one capsule, with water. How long the course will last, the doctor will decide, but usually the treatment is about 1 month.

This drug has an antioxidant, membrane-stabilizing and anti-inflammatory effect. There is, by the way, Karsil Forte, and this remedy differs from the usual version in a higher concentration of the active plant substance contained in it.

Folk remedies

Continuing to consider the topic regarding what liver hepatomegaly means, it is necessary to pay attention to non-traditional methods of treatment. Here are some popular recipes:

• In equal proportions mix chicory, peony, roots of May dandelion, motherwort and sage. Take 3 tbsp. l Collect and pour boiling water (0.5 L). Bring to a boil, and then simmer for about 30 minutes. Let it brew for another half hour. Strain and drink during the day in small portions.
• In an equal amount mix motherwort, immortelle flowers, St. John's wort and mint leaves. Mix all. Take 2 tbsp. l the resulting collection and pour boiling water (0.5 L). Cover the container with a towel, wait 40 minutes. Then strain. Drink 100 ml before meals.
• Mix St. John's wort, coltsfoot, calendula, plantain, celandine and cat's foot grass in equal proportions. Follow the steps in the previous recipe. Drink three times a day for 20 minutes before meals, 100 ml. The course lasts 3 weeks. Then a half-month break. During this period, a small amount of powder made from milk thistle seeds should be eaten daily.
• In the morning and in the evening, you need to dilute honey (2 tsp) and lemon juice (2 tsp) in a glass of warm boiled water, mix thoroughly and drink on an empty stomach.
• Squeeze juice from ripe green apples (it should turn out 0.5 l) and mix it with honey (no more than ¼ cup). Drink the resulting drink throughout the day in equal portions for 6 times.
• Peel five large walnuts, crush and mix with an identical amount of honey. There is this mixture of 1 tbsp. l daily.

There are many other folk remedies that help smooth out the symptoms and signs of hepatomegaly of diffuse changes in the liver parenchyma.

Proponents of alternative medicine claim that you can even cope with the disease if you eat 100-150 grams of boiled beets or pumpkins every day (you can eat more). And it is better both one and the other. These vegetables contain substances that contribute to the speedy restoration of liver function.

But in general, of course, it is better to combine therapeutic methods. The basis should be the treatment prescribed by the doctor, and to consolidate the result, you can resort to traditional medicine. But before that, you need to consult a doctor.

Diet

Of course, a balanced diet is one of the conditions necessary to eliminate hepatomegaly. Diffuse changes in the liver will not go anywhere if a person drinks drugs, but at the same time abuses alcohol and illegal foods.

So, here is what is allowed in the presence of this pathology:

• White dried bread or crackers made from it.
• Soups on vegetable broths with well-cooked cereals.
• Dietary veal and beef, turkey, chicken and rabbit meat.
• Low-fat fish. Such varieties include cod, pollock, bream, hake, perch, pike perch.
• Porridge on water or low-fat milk.
• Small pasta.
• Vegetables. They can be eaten boiled, baked, or in salads.
• Low-fat sour-milk products, home-made cheeses, non-sour cottage cheese.
• Sweet fruits and berries.
• Freshly squeezed juices (must be diluted with water).
• Stewed fruit, jelly, jelly.
• A small amount of honey, marmalade, caramel, pastille, jam, jam, marshmallows. But in a small amount.
• Fruit, herbal and berry teas, mineral water, rosehip infusion.

But what is forbidden:

• Free-flowing salt and sugar.
• Fatty meat and fish, waterfowl, offal.
• Animals and cooking fats. It is allowed to consume no more than 40 ml of oil per day.
• Confectionery (cakes, cakes, chocolate, butter and puff pastry).
• Sour sauerkraut.
• Marinades and pickles.
• Rough vegetables and legumes.
• Sorrel, onions, spinach, radishes, garlic, mushrooms, radish.
• Shop sauces (ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, etc.).
• Sharp and salted cheeses, whole milk, fat cottage cheese, cream, sour cream, glazed cheeses.
• The eggs. Allowed a maximum of 3 pieces per week.
• Ice cream, cocoa, strong coffee and tea.
• Alcohol, packaged juices and soda.
• Everything is fried, spicy and spicy. Food should be neutral and cooked by boiling / baking or steamed.

As you can see, the diet for liver hepatomegaly is not very strict. There is something to make up your diet. Proper nutrition and consumption of foods enriched with vitamins, macro- and microelements will help maintain the body's immunity and contribute to the rapid restoration of the liver.

Forecast and Prevention

Much has been said above about the symptoms, signs, causes, and treatment of hepatomegaly of the liver. What is it, clear. And how to cope with it - too. Therefore, in the end, I would like to talk about forecasts and preventive measures.

In general, when a person visits a doctor in a timely manner, treatment does not take much time. In most cases, a month is enough for the patient to feel better. During this time, the liver really decreases, its functions begin to recover, and progress is generally visible.

However, it all depends on the cause of the syndrome, the degree of damage to the hepatocytes and the irreversibility of the process. The worst predictions are made if a person's liver begins to increase due to cirrhosis, toxic damage, as well as during the primary neoplastic process.

If we talk about prevention, the most important thing here is to prevent diseases that can trigger the appearance of this pathology. To do this, you need to take care of your liver: avoid consumption of products that promote gas formation, sometimes “clean” with activated charcoal, drink at least 2 liters of clean water daily.

And if poisoning suddenly occurred, from which no one is safe, it is necessary to eliminate intoxication. After drinking a fresh infusion of rose hips, for example, or taking magnesium sulfate, fixing the effect by warming the liver with a heating pad. “Holosas”, which has a mild cleaning effect on the liver, and sodium thiosulfate, which removes salts and heavy metals, can also help.

And yet, of course, at least once every six months (and after achieving remission - every 3 months) visit a doctor for the purpose of examination. And in no case do not ignore the symptoms that may indicate health problems. It’s easier to prevent a disease than to cure it.