Why is the liver enlarged?

Did you feel like your liver was enlarged? These sensations can be the first sign of any illness of this organ. There is a whole list of diseases in which the liver changes in size and structure - these are types of hepatitis, cirrhosis, cysts, tumors and many others. Seventy-five percent of those suffering from cirrhosis have a liver, and this symptom is often manifested in chronic hepatitis. Rapid enlargement of the liver is a sign of a malignant tumor, less often chronic hepatitis. If you feel atypical sensations in the liver (the presence of severity, increase in the volume of the liver, etc.), this must be taken seriously - perhaps, this feeling arose from you because of any violation. And any pathology of the liver is fraught with consequences for the whole organism. Why? To answer this question, let's first consider how the liver functions.

In fact, the liver is a living laboratory where various biochemical processes are constantly occurring. This detoxification of toxins, their decomposition into components, the production of glucose, certain vitamins and a number of other, no less important processes, including participation in digestion. If the liver is affected by any disease, the intensity of the reactions occurring in it may decrease. For example: if the liver does not cope with one of its most important functions - detoxification of the body, harmful toxic substances will freely fall into various systems and organs, destroying their structure, causing new diseases, worsening the human condition. However, liver disease does not necessarily increase.

Usually the liver is enlarged for such reasons: viruses, immobile way of life, malnutrition, excess toxins in the body, frequent intake of alcoholic beverages in large quantities and some genetic factors. These are the main reasons for the increase of this organ (hepatomegaly). The factors listed above can cause diseases in which such a pathology is observed. However, some of them can be deleted. Usually, the patient does not complain about any pain, if the liver is enlarged slightly. However, as this anomaly develops, he feels a heaviness in his stomach. This pathology of the liver can be accompanied by such symptoms as persistent weakness, nausea, and sometimes jaundice. With these signs of the disease, accompanied by a feeling of weighting the corresponding area of the abdomen (or other atypical sensations), you should contact the gastroenterologist.

Some of the causes of liver enlargement can be eliminated by adhering to proper nutrition to avoid liver overload. To do this, you need to take food in a measured way, do not overeat, it is better to exclude from the diet all non-natural products, especially containing dyes, preservatives and other synthetic substances. It is proved that it is better to eat 5-6 times a day, but in small portions than three times to eat from the heart. And, of course, you should refrain from consuming hot drinks. Actually, that's all we can do to keep the liver healthy.

However, as mentioned above, the change in the volume of the liver can have many causes. Therefore, if you feel that the liver is enlarged or there is some pressure in this area, take a survey. The doctor palpates the liver, determining its density, size, shape. If the organ is enlarged, the patient often experiences pain during palpation. In general, the results of palpation can say a lot. If the liver is enlarged due to the accumulation of blood, fatty infiltration and the beginning of the obstruction of the bile ducts - in this case it feels soft to the touch. If the pathology is due to cirrhosis, in this case the organ becomes hard and has an irregular shape. It is very important to pay attention to the edges of the liver, performing palpation. If its edges are hard and at the same time acute - this is a possible sign of cirrhosis, tumors or amyloidosis.

Diagnose liver problems with ultrasound, computed tomography, laboratory analysis. Having ascertained the reason for which the liver is enlarged, the gastroenterologist prescribes appropriate treatment. In many cases, it occurs in hospital inpatient settings.