The liver is the most important organ of the human body,performing a series of vital functions. When uncharacteristic changes occur in this organ, hepatomegaly occurs. What it is? This is a deviation characterized by a pathological enlargement of the liver, which can accompany almost all diseases of a given organ. In severe cases, the mass of the liver can reach 20 kg and occupy the main part of the abdominal cavity.
Signs of Hepatomegaly
This pathology is characterized by suchsymptoms like discomfort, compaction, feeling of squeezing in the right hypochondrium. Also, the patient can observe external changes in the body when the liver reaches a large size and becomes noticeable on the wall of the abdomen. Heartburn, nausea, a change in stool, bad breath - all this can be observed with such a deviation as hepatomegaly. That this is a serious condition that requires the immediate consultation of an experienced specialist should not cause any doubts. In addition, specific signs such as jaundice of the sclera and skin, itching of the mucous membranes and the skin can be noticeable. You should be aware that such minor hepatomegaly can occur in young children. This is considered as a variant of the norm. As a rule, with age, the liver becomes normal in size.
Hepatomegaly: what is it and what are its causes?
There are three main groups of diseases that can cause pathological changes in this important organ.
Liver disease
Diseases occur directly.cell destruction, which can lead either to tissue edema, or to a rapid process of regeneration. And if in the first case, the normal state of the liver can be returned by eliminating the inflammatory process, the second option is somewhat more complicated. If the formation of new tissues occurs faster than the death of old ones, then only a part of the destroyed hepatocytes is replaced, and the liver itself grows in size and becomes more uneven.
Metabolic disease
В этом случае увеличение печени происходит в as a result of the accumulation of various substances (carbohydrates, fats, glycogen, iron, etc.). Diseases such as fatty hepatosis, hemochromatosis, amyloidosis, and hepatolenticular degeneration can provoke this. Some of these ailments are hereditary and do not depend on lifestyle. But basically, such deviations arise through the person’s fault and develop as a result of obesity or alcohol or drug abuse.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system
Organ swelling may result fromlack of blood circulation, which leads to stagnation of blood. Especially in this situation, the liver suffers. After all, the edema provokes squeezing and death of hepatocytes, in place of which connective tissue is formed, which leads to hepatomegaly.
Treatment of ailment
При гепатомегалии терапия проводится комплексно и exclusively under the supervision of a specialist. An increase in the size of the liver is only a manifestation of another disease, therefore, drug treatment is aimed primarily at eliminating the cause of the pathology. In addition, a successful recovery involves following a certain diet. It consists in the organization of a rational and balanced diet, in which the amount of carbohydrates and fats is reduced.
If you are diagnosed with hepatomegaly, that issuch, what are the causes and signs of deviation, you now, after reading the article, you know. Do not pull the treatment to the doctor in the presence of the described symptoms - and be healthy!
