Enlarged Liver: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

The size of liver is quite large and it weighs nearly 3.5 pounds. In fact, it is the largest gland present in our body. The liver carries out several vital functions in out body. It is responsible for metabolizing cholesterol, fatty substances and carbohydrates obtained from our food. It secretes an essential digestive juice called bile for absorption of fats in the intestines. It is also responsible for removing all the toxic substances that enter the body due to pollution, drugs or alcohol. The liver has the in-built capacity to renew the cells that get damaged by any injury, harmful substances or diseases. When the destruction continues for a long time, then it fails to regenerate them. As a result, the impairment becomes permanent and there is a collapse in the liver function.

Symptoms of Enlarged Liver

Enlarged liver is often referred to as hepatomegaly. It is not a disease in itself. Rather, it is a probable symptom of some health conditions like cancer, congestive heart or hepatitis. Usually, enlarged liver does not show any symptoms, mainly because liver does not have any nerves. In cases when the liver becomes excessively large, pain is experienced when the abdomen is touched. Some discomfort arises when the liver puts pressure on the surrounding organs and nerves due to enlargement. When the liver stops functioning normally due to its enlarged state, it can lead to jaundice.

Causes of Enlarged Liver

The most common cause of enlarged liver is accumulation of fat in the liver. Collection of fat in the liver can a result of obesity and diabetes. This problem has striking similarity with alcoholic hepatitis, but it has been found that such patients do not drink alcohol. Hence, it is known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. However, it is not at all necessary that every overweight person will develop enlarged liver problems. Other causes of enlarged liver are viral infection like hepatitis A, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, iron deposition in liver, heavy consumption of alcohol. Serious ailments like diabetes, tuberculosis, liver cancer, congestive heart failure or leukemia can be some other causes of enlarged liver. Inadequate diet and side effects of some drugs are other factors that can lead to enlarged liver.

Treatment of Enlarged Liver

The doctor can estimate the approximate size of the liver by touching it. It would also reveal if any lumps have formed inside it. X-ray, CT scan and ultra sound are done to confirm in these cases. If required, blood tests and biopsy of liver is also conducted. Treatment of enlarged liver can start only after the identification of the exact cause behind the problem. A patient who is suffering from hepatitis, is given medication to bring down the inflammation. In case it is a nonalcoholic fatty liver problem and it is due to obesity, the patient needs to opt for weight loss treatments by means of regular exercises. In the case of diabetic patients, the blood sugar and cholesterol needs to be controlled. For liver cancer and leukemia, the treatment is chemotherapy and radiation. Anyone who has developed enlarged liver due to alcoholism, should stop intake of alcohol immediately or else it could be fatal.

People who consume excessive alcohol for a prolonged duration are at the highest risk of developing enlarged liver. Other risk factors are abnormally high level of cholesterol, excessive weight gain and uncontrolled sugar levels. Even sharing needles or injecting or snorting of narcotic drugs may give rise to enlarged liver. I hope the information on enlarge liver and its causes, symptoms and treatment proved helpful for you.