3 Hospitals For Liver Diseases In Texas

Liver Diseases (click for worldwide facilities list): Liver disease is a term for a collection of conditions, diseases, and infections that affect the cells, tissues, structures, or functions of the liver.

If the liver becomes inflamed or infected, its ability to perform these functions may be impaired. Liver disease and infections are caused by a variety of conditions including viral infections, bacterial invasion, and chemical or physical changes within the body. The most common cause of liver damage is malnutrition, especially that which occurs with alcoholism.

Symptoms of liver disease may be acute, occurring suddenly, or chronic, developing slowly over a long period of time. Chronic liver disease is much more common than acute. The rates of chronic liver disease for men are two times higher than for women. Liver disease may range from mild to severe depending on the type of disease present.

Various diagnostics tests aid physicians in determining the presence of certain liver diseases. They may include: blood tests that check a wide variety of liver enzymes and byproducts, abdominal X-rays, ultrasounds, an upper GI study, iver scans with radiotagged substances, ERCP, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, abdominal CT scan or abdominal MRI, and liver biopsy. Treatment will depend on the type and the extent of disease. For example, treating hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D may involve the use of medications such as the antiviral medication alpha interferon. Other medications used to treat liver disease may include ribavirin, lamivudine, steroids, and antibiotics.

A team of hepatologists, specialists in liver diseases, helps patients identify their options and choose appropriate treatment plans.

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