As an organ that regulates liver life functions and can renew itself, it synthesizes protein into our body, stores carbohydrates and fats, produces urea, blood coagulants, enzymes and bile, removes harmful substances, drugs and alcohol from the body.

What Are Liver Diseases?

The types of liver diseases are hepatitis, fattening, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hepatitis is one of the most common liver diseases and is an inflammation of the liver. There are five types of hepatitis known as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Blood can spread through sexual contact and dirty water. Hepatitis A is the type known as jaundice and may sometimes show no symptoms. Hepatitis B may manifest as weakness, yellowing of the eye, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and changes in stool and urine. Hepatitis B and C can become chronic and lead to cancer and cirrhosis. Hepatitis D is a rare disease and Hepatitis E is caused by poor drinking water.

Fatty liver may be due to alcohol use. This disease, in which early intervention is important, is diagnosed by ultrasound examination by looking at AST and ALT values. Symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, pain in the chest and abdomen, jaundice and nausea may occur.

Cirrhosis occurs as a result of liver damage caused by hepatitis B, C, D and fatty liver failure to perform its functions. It can also be called liver failure because it causes liver shrinkage. Itching, jaundice, oedema, loss of appetite and nausea are among the symptoms of cancer.

Liver cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Hepatitis B, C, cirrhosis, alcohol consumption and fatty liver can trigger cancer. Yellowing of the skin and eyes, bloating in the abdomen, pain and nausea in the back are among the symptoms of cancer.

What Are The Treatments For Liver Diseases?

Diet and nutrition have an important place in all liver diseases, especially in diseases that can be regulated and treated with nutrition and have not yet reached advanced level. Reducing or cutting back on alcohol and smoking is also included and of great importance. Since some liver diseases can trigger cancer, prompt and accurate treatment after diagnosis is very important.

Hepatitis treatments vary according to the type of hepatitis. Hepatitis A virus is a virus that has no cure but has a preventive vaccine. This vaccine is given during childhood and is not suitable for pregnant women. Hepatitis B is mostly treated with medication, but if the disease progresses, it may need to be treated with a liver transplant. Hepatitis C is a disease with a high chance of treatment in early diagnosis. Interferon drugs are used for hepatitis C diagnosed in the acute period.

A correct diet can be applied for liver fattening, the Mediterranean diet and exercise are the first treatment methods that are good for fattening. Attention should be paid to gaining weight and natural foods should be consumed.

In cirrhosis, alcohol consumption should be stopped and attention should be paid to nutrition. Liver transplantation is required for advanced cirrhosis.

In liver cancer, the cancerous part of the liver can be removed by surgery or liver transplantation can be performed. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, ablation or nuclear medicine can be applied to patients who cannot undergo surgery.

Our internal medicine specialist will determine the most appropriate treatment method after the examination and will contact our dietitian when necessary to help you by applying a diet and exercise program.