‘Is the life worth living? It depends on the liver.’ This saying is so apt when talking about the liver. It is a vital organ in humans.
It is so vital that people would perish if it stopped working even for a single day. Regrettably, it is also one of the organs that receive the least attention.
That’s why, when liver damage becomes irreversible due to acute or chronic liver disease, a liver transplant becomes the only option for treatment. Luckily, most patients can get the best treatment for a liver transplant in India due to improved infrastructure and advance technology.
Let’s take some time to learn more about the liver and give it the attention it deserves, considering its significance.
Interesting facts about the Liver
- The liver is the largest glandular organ in the human body and the second largest organ in the body after the skin.
- The liver is multifunctional, performing over 800 essential functions for the body at the same time. Providing glucose to the brain, fighting infections, and storing nutrients are only a few of these vital functions.
- Around 5-10% of the liver is made up of fats. Higher fat content in the Liver leads to a condition called “fatty liver.” This condition is more prone in people with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, High Cholesterol, and heavy alcohol drinking.
- The human liver produces and stores iron and essential vitamins and nutrients from the diet and keeps them in storage until the body needs them.
- It also acts as a detoxifier. The toxic substances consumed by people, such as alcohol and drugs, are detoxified by the liver. The body cannot process these substances without the liver.
- The liver produces important proteins of blood clotting, which circulates in the body. That’s the reason patients with liver failure are more prone to bleeding.
- The liver has the incredible capacity to regenerate, which makes Living donor liver transplantation possible. When people donate half of their liver, the liver regenerates the portion that the doctor removed. Within three months, the liver grows back to 90% of its original size.
So, the liver is an essential organ that performs a variety of functions. It works in coordination with other organs of the body to keep us fit and healthy. This is the reason with Liver failure other organs also start to get affected like kidney, heart, lungs, and many more.
What are the causes of Liver Disease?
The following factors can cause Liver disease:
- Viruses and parasites
- Autoimmune disorders
- Cancer
- Abnormal gene
- Alcohol abuse for a long time
- The fat build-up in the liver
Which are the most common Liver diseases?
- Hepatitis is caused by viruses, obesity, allergic reactions, drugs, or heavy drinking.
- Cirrhosis scars the liver as a result of long-term damage.
- The most common form of liver cancer develops after the presence of cirrhosis.
What are the signs and symptoms of Liver diseases?
One or more of the following symptoms can occur, with more severe symptoms often associated with more advanced disease:
- Skin and eyes turn yellowish (jaundice)
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Tiredness
- Swelling in legs and knees
- Itchy skin
- Urine with a dark hue
- Stools that are pale, bloody, or tar-colored
- Vomiting or nausea
- Diarrhea
- Appetite loss
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Mental confusion
What is the treatment for liver disease?
Treatment options depend on the nature and severity of the damage as well as the underlying cause. Some liver treatment includes losing weight or avoiding alcohol while the doctor monitors the patient’s liver functions.
In certain cases, the doctor may opt for medicine or surgery. The patient may need a liver transplant in the most severe cases.
For critical procedures like these, patients are recommended to undergo Liver Treatment in Mumbai as the city is equipped with expert surgeons and world-class infrastructure.
