Hepatomegaly - Causes and Signs of Hepatomegaly

By intensity of manifestation of hepatomegaly, there are:

• Moderate (age-related) - most often occurs in children under 5-7 years old, usually due to other diseases. The liver protrudes beyond the edges of the rib surface by no more than 1-2 cm. Does not require special therapy, since the signs disappear after the elimination of the underlying disease.
• Diffuse - observed in inflammatory diseases in the body. The edges are enlarged evenly along the lower contour of this organ.

Causes

Hepatomegaly can occur as a result of alcohol abuse, steatosis, adenoma, autoimmune diseases, parasitic invasion, polycystic disease, development of granulomatous and viral hepatitis, damage to the gland in cirrhosis, exposure to poisons and toxins, drug poisoning.

Symptoms

With liver damage, which is accompanied by an increase in its size, discomfort, pain, a feeling of compression or a lump in the right hypochondrium may appear. Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, bad breath, itchy skin and rash occur.

The skin takes on a yellowish tint, the urine darkens, the nature of the stool changes (yellow stool).

Diagnostics

Various diagnostic methods have been developed in medicine when signs of liver enlargement appear. The main ones are:

• palpation, which is used to determine the density, degree of enlargement and boundaries of the organ;
• biochemical blood test;
• ultrasound examination (ultrasound);
• laparoscopy, performed to establish a diagnosis, determine the cause of the disease and collect material for examination;
• computer or magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment

In the treatment of hepatomegaly, you will be helped by such specialists as a therapist, hepatologist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist. In the treatment of this pathology, it is necessary to eliminate the symptom complex of the underlying disease that caused the pathological process (treatment of viral hepatitis, consequences of poisoning or polycystic disease). Antibiotic therapy is used, hepatoprotectors, diuretics and vitamin preparations are prescribed. It is very important to follow a special diet (table No. 5) in order to further reduce the load on the organ. In case of irreversible organ changes, a liver transplant is performed.

In the process of eliminating symptoms, it is important to reduce the load on the body by eliminating heavy lifting and heavy physical work.

Prevention

The occurrence of the disease can be avoided by following a proper diet, including control over the consumption of carbohydrates and fats, giving up bad habits, especially alcohol and drug addiction. It is necessary to promptly and effectively treat any infectious lesions accompanied by an increase in body temperature and the formation of toxic substances. Do not allow self-prescription and administration of drugs with further prevention of drug intoxication, observe the rules of personal hygiene, which can significantly reduce the risk of infection with viral and parasitic agents.