Hepatomegaly: do you have symptoms of an enlarged liver?

An enlarged liver can negatively affect the proper functioning of the body, and anyone experiencing symptoms of this condition is advised by doctors to seek help and begin treatment as soon as possible..

The liver is the largest internal organ that filters the blood: in doing so, it breaks down, balances and produces nutrients. The liver also metabolizes drugs, making them non-toxic and absorbable to the body.. Thus, the liver is responsible for digesting fats, storing sugar, protecting against infections, producing nutrients, controlling blood clotting, and breaking down toxins.. Therefore, when diseases occur that disrupt the proper functioning of the organ, systemic symptoms may occur.. Differing in variety, they can create the feeling that the whole organism is out of order..

One of these pathologies is hepatomegaly - enlargement of the liver..

What causes the liver to swell beyond its size? Hepatologist Alla Yuzhnova said in a commentary to MedikForum that an enlarged liver itself is usually a symptom of an underlying disease - for example, hepatitis.

The doctor added that there may be a genetic risk of developing hepatomegaly. In addition, people with autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease, sickle cell anemia, obesity are prone to it..

Also, an enlarged liver can be the result of frequent infections and bad habits (including alcohol consumption and overeating), taking unprescribed medications.

What are the symptoms of an enlarged liver Hepatologist Yuzhnova named a number of dysfunctional conditions.

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin).

Muscle pain.

Drowsiness.

Nausea.

Skin itching.

Abdominal pain.

low appetite.

Swollen feet and legs.

Easy bruising.

Increased waist size. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor, the expert emphasizes..

Fatty hepatosis.

The following symptoms, in turn, say that a person needs an ambulance.

Severe abdominal pain.

Jaundice.

Fever (possibly with fever).

Confused breath.

Vomiting blood.

Strange stool (black, bright red). The medic added that the listed symptoms may signal serious liver damage - this organ, having become ill, may not give noticeable outward signs for a long time..

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