In the human body, the liver is a kind of filter. It cleanses the blood of toxic and other harmful compounds. Under the influence of various adverse factors, liver dysfunction can occur. A natural result is a disruption in the functioning of all organs and systems, since the blood entering them contains a large amount of harmful substances. To prevent this, you must consult a doctor when the first signs of liver dysfunction appear. The specialist will draw up a referral for a comprehensive examination and, based on the results of the diagnosis, will make the most effective treatment.
The concept of dysfunction
In this case, we are not talking about any specific pathological process. The term "dysfunction" refers to any violation.
The liver is an organ in which many chemical reactions occur continuously. Moreover, each of them has its own characteristics and is important in its own way for the normal functioning of the whole organism. If under the influence of any starting factor at least one reaction begins to proceed incorrectly, it is customary to talk about a violation of the liver. This is due to the fact that liquid connective tissue ceases to be cleaned properly, due to which harmful decay products are not completely excreted from the body, but only partially.
Causes
Liver dysfunction can occur under the influence of both external and internal provoking factors.
The first include:
- Living in adverse environmental conditions. Currently, liver diseases are most often diagnosed in residents of megacities.
- Failure to comply with the principles of a healthy lifestyle.
- Improperly organized diet.
- Excessive consumption of fast food, fatty, fried, salty, spicy and smoked dishes.
- Uncontrolled medication.
- Frequent use of alcohol-containing drinks.
Internal causes of liver dysfunction:
- Pathologies of other internal organs (most often the stomach, gall bladder and pancreas).
- Mental disorders.
- Staying long under stress.
- Frequent and high-intensity physical activity.
- Pathologies of an infectious nature.
Most often, the development of pathology occurs under the influence of several provoking factors.
Early clinical manifestations
Each of the possible ailments has its own characteristics, in connection with which it is necessary to listen very sensitively to your body. Regarding where the person has a liver sore. This organ is located in the right hypochondrium, but it does not have nerve endings. That is why most patients go to the doctor in the later stages of the disease, when the liver increases significantly in size and presses on the capsule. The latter, on the contrary, has nerve endings. Against the background of the stretching of the shell, severe painful sensations arise.
The absence of nerve endings in the liver is a serious problem. This is due to the fact that more than 80% of cases occur in pathologies that are asymptomatic at an early stage, and then rapidly progress and end in death. In this regard, it is necessary to pay attention to other disturbing signs.
Symptoms of early liver dysfunction:
- Inexplicable feeling of tiredness.
- Depressive conditions.
- Constant depression.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Nausea.
- Frequent burping episodes.
- Heartburn.
- Itching of the skin, which, as a rule, bothers at night.
- Yellowish complexion.
- Rash or spots on the skin.
- The appearance of a vascular pattern in the lower extremities, hands, neck or face.
Pregnant women suffering from constant vomiting must inform the doctor. This is due to the fact that often the cause of this condition in expectant mothers is liver dysfunction.
Late stage clinical manifestations
Most people attribute the first warning signs to fatigue. The disease, meanwhile, is progressing and significantly worsens the work of other organs.
Symptoms of late stage dysfunction:
- Severe pain in the right hypochondrium. They can be aching, sharp or pulling. Their presence is due to stretching of the capsule of the liver.
- Smell from the mouth. It is specific, sweetish.
- The skin acquires a pronounced yellow tint.
- Pallor. It occurs against the background of anemia.
- The appearance of age spots on the skin.
- Pronounced vascular pattern on different parts of the body.
- Veins begin to appear in the abdomen, which looks like varicose veins.
- Red spots appear on the palms.
- The tongue takes on a crimson hue.
- Dysmenorrhea (in women).
- Sexual dysfunction (in men).
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea turning into vomiting.
- Constipation
- Bloating.
- A sharp decrease in body weight.
- Psycho-emotional instability.
- Fever.
In the later stages, the general well-being of a person is so severe that he is not able to carry out daily activities. In such cases, urgent hospitalization in a hospital is indicated.
Who to contact?
A hepatologist treats liver dysfunction. But if the first alarming signs occur, it is recommended to consult a therapist to exclude the presence of a number of other diseases with similar symptoms. If necessary, the specialist will send a consultation and further treatment to a hepatologist or gastroenterologist.
Diagnostics
In the process of admission, the doctor interviews and examines the patient. Based on the results of the initial diagnosis, the specialist draws up a referral for a comprehensive examination, which includes:
- Conducting biochemical samples.
- Analysis of acid-base composition of the blood.
- Ultrasound
- Electroencephalography.
- CT
- MRI
If the doctor has suspicions about the presence of intoxication in the body, the patient must undergo a toxicological study.
Drug therapy
The specialist, based on the results of a comprehensive diagnosis, prescribes the administration of effective drugs for the liver. Drug therapy for dysfunction of this organ involves the use of drugs not on a synthetic, but on a plant basis. This is due to the fact that unnatural agents negatively affect the liver and can cause its dysfunction.
Hepaprotectors are made exclusively from extracts of medicinal plants. They have beneficial effects on liver cells, protecting and restoring the damaged organ. In addition, against the background of their intake, its degree of resistance to negative factors improves.
Preparations for liver restoration should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's health.
Currently, experts recommend taking the following hepatoprotectors:
- Ovesol. The product is available in the form of drops and tablets. The composition of the drug is represented exclusively by natural components, due to the action of which the liver is restored and the body as a whole heals. According to the instructions for use, Ovesol tablets should be taken twice a day for 1 pill. The course of treatment is determined by the doctor, its average duration is 20 days. “Ovesol” for the liver in liquid form also needs to be taken twice a day for 20 drops. According to reviews, a positive effect occurs within a week after the start of treatment. Patients disappear pain, discomfort after a meal, the weight normalizes. According to the instructions for use, Ovesol in tablets and drops is not prescribed if a person has individual intolerance to the components and cholelithiasis.
- "Allohol." This is a medicine whose active substance enhances the production of bile. Intended "Allohol" to cleanse the liver and improve the work of the gall bladder. In addition, indications for taking the drug are: chronic hepatitis, cholangitis, cholecystitis, atonic constipation. For cleansing the liver, "Allocholum" should be taken 3-4 times a day for 1-2 tablets. The duration of treatment is up to 1 month.
- Essential. Effective medicine for the liver. The drug is prescribed for cirrhosis, hepatitis (including alcohol), fatty degeneration of the body. The tool is also effective against psoriasis and radiation syndrome. According to the instructions, Essentiale must be taken 2 capsules three times a day during meals. A positive effect is noted a few days after the start of the course of treatment.
- "Galstena." This drug is prescribed to restore the liver and treat gallbladder pathologies. Available in the form of drops and tablets. The tool has only 2 contraindications: individual intolerance to the components and alcohol dependence. Tablets must be taken half an hour or 1 hour after a meal. Dosage regimen - 1 tablet or 10 drops three times a day. The course of treatment is, on average, 3 months. It is worth noting that the drug has only 1 possible side effect - an increased degree of salivation, but it also arises only in isolated cases.
Currently, the pharmaceutical market is selling many products intended for the treatment and restoration of the liver. The above are the drugs that are prescribed most often by doctors.
Folk methods
It is important to understand that the use of non-traditional methods does not eliminate the need to seek qualified medical help. Alternative methods for cleansing the liver are acceptable, but only after obtaining the permission of the doctor. This is due to the fact that some natural remedies can reduce the effectiveness of drug therapy.
Before cleansing the liver, preparation is required. After about 2 weeks, you need to make adjustments to the diet and follow the principles of healthy eating. In addition, it is necessary to reduce the intensity of physical activity. Do not forget about the drinking regimen.
You can use raisins for cleaning. It must be thoroughly washed and filled with clean still water in a ratio of 1: 2. After a few hours, the product can be consumed. This must be done strictly on an empty stomach. Both water and raisins soaked in it are suitable for purification. The course is 7 days.
Decoctions from the following herbs are also useful:
- ginseng;
- immortelle;
- St. John's wort
- mint;
- corn silk;
- dandelion;
- milk thistle;
- sagebrush;
- chamomile;
- yarrow;
- dogrose.
The list is not complete, but these plants are considered the most effective. It is allowed to cook both mono-and multicomponent decoctions.
Power Features
Diet plays an important role in liver dysfunction. It involves eating boiled or steamed food. Fatty, fried, smoked dishes should be excluded from the diet.
The menu must include:
- cottage cheese;
- soups without frying;
- inedible cookies;
- stale wheat bread (on day 2 or 3);
- lean meat and fish;
- pasta;
- cereals (buckwheat, rice, semolina, oatmeal);
- dairy products;
- protein omelet;
- potatoes;
- carrot;
- pumpkin;
- beet;
- cauliflower;
- sweet fruits.
Of the drinks, it is recommended to give preference to still water, tea and a decoction of rose hips.
Possible consequences
If untreated, liver dysfunction progresses, and the disease that caused it becomes chronic. At the same time, the blood ceases to be completely cleansed of harmful compounds, which threatens general poisoning of the body and disruption of most systems.
Forecast
The outcome of the disease directly depends on the timeliness of going to the doctor. If the pathology is detected at an early stage, the prognosis is favorable.
Over time, the disease progresses, the liver resources meanwhile run out. If you do not go to the doctor even at a late stage, there is a very high risk of death.
Prevention
There are no specific events. It is enough to follow the principles of a healthy diet and regularly subject the body to moderate physical exertion. Residents of megacities are recommended to relax in the fresh air as often as possible. In addition, it is necessary to avoid getting into stressful situations.
Finally
The liver is an organ that is a filter that cleanses the body of toxins and other harmful compounds. Chemical reactions occur continuously in it. Violation of at least one leads to liver dysfunction. A doctor should be consulted if any warning signs appear. The specialist will conduct diagnostic measures and draw up a treatment regimen.