One of the most important digestive organs in the human body is the liver. This is a kind of laboratory in which hundreds of biochemical reactions take place, such as the production of enzymes, bile and hormones. If for some reason the liver ceases to function properly, then its size increases. This symptom is called hepatomegaly in medicine. It accompanies all liver diseases.
If an enlarged liver is observed , what should I do? This is a very important issue. However, not only digestive diseases caused this symptom. A phenomenon such as vegetovascular dystonia provokes an increase in this organ. The weight of the enlarged liver can reach 15 kg or more.
What measures should be taken by a person who has a greatly enlarged liver? What to do? First of all, you need to identify the main sources of the problem.
Causes
The liver grows in size in many circumstances. Perhaps this is not due to the disease. In some cases, the cells of this organ grow to cleanse themselves of excess toxins.
The most common cause of the problem is vegetovascular dystonia. Due to the fact that the liver is poorly supplied with blood, its edema occurs and, consequently, an increase in size.
Alcohol intake or the presence of viral infections provokes an inflammatory process in the liver tissue, which causes edema, and then cell death, called cirrhosis, begins. Obesity of internal organs, including the liver, leads to the development of hepatomegaly.
Hereditary hepatomegaly
This disease can be one of the signs of hereditary metabolic diseases. Hepatomegaly develops as a result of the accumulation of glycogen in the digestive organs. In this case, an enlarged liver may be observed. What to do in this situation?
Symptoms can occur not only at an early age. But do not delay the treatment and wait until everything goes away by itself. The only way out is to follow a diet and urgent consultation with a doctor.
Symptomatology
Not all liver diseases are accompanied by its increase. In some cases, the organ may decrease. Usually the patient does not feel any symptoms other than discomfort in the stomach. If the liver rapidly increases in size, then during palpation the patient experiences severe pain under the right rib. With cirrhosis, the liver is deformed and becomes hard to the touch, and with obesity - soft. The tumor is characterized by distinct nodes.
Pain in the right hypochondrium, heartburn, nausea and bitterness in the mouth are the main symptoms of impaired liver function.
An increased proportion of the liver on the right side may be observed. This individual feature develops for the above reasons and has similar symptoms. In this case, it is important to examine the stomach, pancreas and spleen.
The problem is the smallest
If the child’s liver is enlarged, it is worthwhile to figure out what caused this. The answer to your questions can only be given by a doctor, having studied the results of the tests and having conducted a full examination.
If you notice that your child’s appetite has decreased, he has become less active and cries a lot, this is a signal that says that you should go to an appointment with a specialist. Pay attention to the skin color of the baby. If spider veins appear on the body in the abdomen, and the skin turns yellow, then the child’s liver is likely to be enlarged.
The method of treating the disease is determined only by the doctor, in no case can you independently fix the problem. Postponing a call to a therapist, every day you are increasingly jeopardizing the health of the child.
Diagnosis of the disease
Before making a diagnosis, the doctor directs the patient for diagnosis, which is performed as follows:
- Palpation of the abdominal cavity. Determination of their shape, density and size.
- Ultrasound
- Blood test for biochemistry.
- Computed tomography, which will exclude the presence of various tumors.
- Additional laboratory tests.
Patients are often very upset when, as a result of various examinations and studies, the specialist reports that they have an enlarged liver. What to do? The doctor prescribes a diet and medications, and if necessary - hospitalization.
After the diagnosis is made, a natural question arises in a person: "The liver is enlarged - what should I do?" Treatment is prescribed by an experienced doctor. A diet with restriction of fatty and carbohydrate foods is usually prescribed.
Cholagogue , such as Allochol and Cholenzym, are prescribed. To enhance the secretion of bile, it is recommended to consume more plant fiber. To normalize the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract, Mitilak, Motizhekt or Trimetad are prescribed. You may have to take enzyme medications: Pancreatin or Creon. Means "Karsil" is prescribed for the restoration of liver cells.
Menu
Diet is important. Spicy, fatty and floury foods should be excluded from the diet. Vegetables and protein foods should be consumed daily. Mashed potatoes, cereals, low-fat varieties of pock and meat, broths and mineral water are also recommended.
Be sure to exclude fried foods and alcohol. It is not recommended to eat fatty meat, cheese, eggs, legumes, sausages, butter, smoked meats and nuts. Diet tables Nos. 5 and 7 are recommended.
ethnoscience
What actions to take if an enlarged liver is observed? What to do? How to treat hepatomegaly folk remedies?
- Honey (a third of a glass) with the addition of lemon juice should be eaten during the day. This will facilitate the work of the liver.
- Add two tablespoons of honey to a glass of warm boiled water and drink in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Eat 100 grams of boiled beets per day. Can be added to salad. It is advisable to eat it in the morning.
- A decoction of repes is useful not only for the liver, but also for the pancreas. Two tablespoons of raw materials need to pour a glass of boiling water. After cooling, strain and drink 50 grams per day.
- In the morning on an empty stomach, you can take one tablespoon of flaxseed oil. It helps relieve inflammation, acts as a choleretic and laxative.
- For low acidity, take pickled cabbage brine. Drinking half a glass a day, you will improve the condition of both the liver and the gastric mucosa.
Of course, you must consult your doctor to rule out possible allergic reactions. The specialist will recommend a course of decoctions of herbs or tinctures. And do not forget that you can not do without drug therapy.