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Showing posts from May, 2019

25 Ways to Love Your Liver

25 Ways to Love Your Liver You can contact us at https://sunnypharma.info  Avoid taking unnecessary medications. Too many chemicals can harm the liver. If you are a baby boomer, get tested for Hepatitis C today. Don’t mix medications without the advice of a doctor. Mixing medications could be poisonous to your liver. Drink alcohol responsibly. Never mix alcohol with other drugs and medications. Be careful when using aerosol cleaners. The liver has to detoxify what you breathe in. Make sure the room is well ventilated or wear a mask. Bug sprays, paint sprays and all those other chemical sprays you use can cause harm as well. Be careful what you breathe. Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B and make sure your children are vaccinated as well. If you get a tattoo, make sure you only use single needles and ink pots. No sharing! Exercise regularly – walk a little further, climb the stairs. Don’t share personal use items such as combs, razors, and manicure tools. T
Lysosomal Acid Lipase De ficiency (LALD) Explore this page to learn more about LAL-D, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. What is LAL-D? Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is a rare, chronic, progressive inherited disorder. It affects the body’s ability to produce an enzyme called lysosomal acid lipase (LAL). This enzyme is needed for the breakdown of fats (lipids) and cholesterol in your cells. When the LAL enzyme is missing or deficient, fats accumulate in organs and tissues throughout the body, primarily leading to liver disease and high “bad cholesterol,” which is linked to cardiovascular disease. How is LAL-D inherited? LAL-D is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder, meaning that both parents must pass on a defective gene to the affected child. The disorder is usually passed on by two parents that are carriers – meaning their health is not affected – but both parents have one abnormal gene (recessiv

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)

Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) Explore this section to learn more about ICP, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. What is Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)? Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disorder which occurs during pregnancy. This condition affects the normal flow of bile. Bile acids are chemicals in the bile of the liver that help with digestion. With ICP the bile flow begins to slow down in tern the bile acids build up in the blood. This results in the woman itching that can vary in severity and type. The itching can be bothersome to severe itching and is often worse at night. There is rarely jaundice when experiencing this condition. Although it has been reported as early as a few 8 weeks pregnant, it is more common for it to begin in the third trimester, when hormone concentrations are at their highest levels. The figure for the percentage of women for whom Intrahepatic Cholesta

Wilson Disease

Wilson Disease Explore this section to learn more about Wilson disease, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. What is Wilson disease? Wilson disease is an inherited condition that causes the body to retain excess copper. The liver of a person who has Wilson's disease does not release copper into bile as it should. As the copper builds up in the liver, it begins to damage the organ. After enough damage, the liver releases the copper directly into the bloodstream, which carries the copper throughout the body. The copper buildup leads to damage in the kidneys, brain, and eyes. If not treated, Wilson's disease can cause severe brain damage, liver failure, and death. What are the symptoms of Wilson disease? Wilson Disease is present at birth, but the symptoms usually appear between the ages of 6 and 20 years and can begin as late as age 40. The most characteristic sign is a rusty brown ring around the cornea of the eye calle

Type I Glycogen Storage Disease

Type I Glycogen Storage Disease Explore this section to learn more about Type I Glycogen Storage Disease, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. What is type I glycogen storage disease? Type I glycogen storage disease (GSD I), also known as von Gierke’s disease, is the most common form of glycogen storage disease, accounting for 25% of all cases. It is an inherited disorder that affects the metabolism - the way the body breaks food down into energy. After we eat, excess glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen to maintain normal glucose levels in our body. In GSD I, the enzyme needed to release glucose from glycogen is missing. When this occurs, a person cannot maintain his or her blood glucose levels and will develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) within a few hours after eating. The low levels of glucose in the blood of these individuals often result in chronic hunger, fatigue, and irritability. These symptoms are especially n

Reye Syndrome

Reye Syndrome Explore this section to learn more about Reye syndrome, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. What is Reye syndrome? Reye syndrome is a rare illness that affects all bodily organs but is most harmful to the brain and the liver. It occurs primarily among children who are recovering from a viral infection , such as chicken pox or the flu. It usually develops a week after the onset of the viral illness but can also occur a few days after onset. Liver-related complications of Reye syndrome include fatty deposits, abnormal liver function tests, and poor blood clotting and bleeding caused by liver failure. What are the symptoms of Reye syndrome? Reye syndrome is often misdiagnosed as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, drug overdose, poisoning, sudden infant death syndrome, or psychiatric illness. Symptoms include persistent or recurrent vomiting, listlessness, personality changes such as irritability or combativeness,

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

NAFLD Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease IMPORTANCE The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side. The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood. WHAT IS NAFLD? Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the build up of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol. It is normal for the liver to contain some fat. However, if more than 5% - 10% percent of the liver’s weight is fat, then it is called a fatty liver (steatosis). WHO IS LIKELY TO HAVE NAFLD? NAFLD tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. Rapid weight loss and poor eating habits also may lead to NAFLD. However, some people develop NAF

Newborn Jaundice

Newborn Jaundice Explore this section to learn more about Newborn Jaundice, including a description of it and how it's diagnosed. Why is the liver important? The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds in the adult and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side. 
The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood. What is jaundice? Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and eyes. It results from having too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance made from the breakdown of red blood cells. Most newborns develop jaundice. Jaundice in newborns is usually mild and goes away within one to two weeks. However, babies with jaundice need to be regularly seen by a doctor because severe jaundice can cause brai

Liver Function Tests: Hepatitis C

Liver Function Tests Explore this section to learn more about Liver Function Tests, including a description and diagnosis. Why is the liver important? The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side. The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood. What are “liver function tests”? Liver function tests help your doctor check your liver’s health and detect liver damage. These blood tests measure the levels of certain proteins and enzymes in your blood. Proteins are large molecules that are needed for your overall health. Enzymes are cellular proteins that help important chemical reactions to occur in your body. Why are liver function tests done? Liver function tests may be done for

Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer Explore this section to learn more about liver cancer, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. Why is the liver important? The liver is the second most important organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side. The liver performs many jobs in your body.It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients that it stores for your body to use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood. What is liver cancer? Liver cancer is the growth and spread of unhealthy cells in the liver. Cancer that starts in the liver is called primary liver cancer. Cancer that spreads to the liver from another organ is called metastatic liver cancer. About 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with primary liver cancer each year. Primary liver cancer is one of the cancers on the rise in the United States. Primary liver

Liver Cysts

Liver Cysts Explore this section to learn more about Liver Cysts, including a description of what they are and how they're diagnosed. Why is the liver important? The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side. The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood. What are liver cysts? Liver cysts are abnormal sacs filled with fluid in the liver. What causes liver cysts? The cause of most liver cysts is unknown. Liver cysts can be present at birth or can develop at a later time. They usually grow slowly and are not detected until adulthood. Some cysts are caused by a parasite, echinococcus that is found in sheep in different parts of the world. What are the symptoms of liver cysts

Liver Biopsy

Liver Biopsy Explore this section to learn more about Liver Biopsies. Why is the liver important? The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side. The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood. What is a liver biopsy? A liver biopsy is a medical procedure used to remove a small piece of liver tissue so doctors can examine the liver’s condition. Why is a liver biopsy done? When other liver tests indicate that your liver may not be working properly, your doctor may want to do a liver biopsy to more accurately learn the condition of your liver. A liver biopsy is an accurate way to learn the condition of your liver. A liver biopsy helps: diagnose liver disease and the stage it is i

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B Explore this section to learn more about hepatitis B, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. Why is the liver important? The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side. The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood. What is hepatitis B ? Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV causes the liver to swell and prevents it from working well. About 95% of adults who are exposed to HBV fully recover within 6 months (acute HBV) without medication. About 5% have HBV all their lives (chronic HBV) unless they are successfully treated with medications. Infants born to mothers infected with HBV are at high risk of develop

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A Explore this section to learn more about hepatitis A, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. Why is the liver important? The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side. The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood. What is hepatitis A ? Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV causes the liver to swell and prevents it from working well. HAV usually goes away on its own in almost all cases with no serious complications. However, HAV may cause some patients to suffer liver failure. In the United States, there are about 100 deaths a year due to HAV. Those at risk of serious long term effects from HAV include peopl

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis Explore this section to learn more about hemochromatosis, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. What is hemochromatosis? Hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States. It is an inherited condition in which the body absorbs and stores too much iron. The extra iron builds up in several organs, especially the liver, and can cause serious damage. Without treatment, the disease can cause these organs to fail. Iron is an essential nutrient found in many foods. Healthy people usually absorb about 10 percent of the iron contained in the food they eat to meet the body’s needs. People with hemochromatosis absorb more than the body needs. The body has no natural way to rid itself of the excess iron, causing the excess to build up in the organs. What are the symptoms of hemochromatosis? Many people have no symptoms, even in advanced cases. Joint pain is the most common complaint of people

Gilbert Syndrome

Gilbert Syndrome Explore this section to learn more about Gilbert Syndrome, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed.  Hepatitis C treatment is now available at affordable prices. Why is the liver important? The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located under your rib cage on the right side. It weighs about three pounds and is shaped like a football that is flat on one side. The liver performs many jobs in your body. It processes what you eat and drink into energy and nutrients your body can use. The liver also removes harmful substances from your blood. What is Gilbert Syndrome? Gilbert Syndrome is a mild genetic disorder in which the liver does not properly process a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is made by the break down of red blood cells. Gilbert Syndrome affects three to seven percent of people in the United States. Gilbert Syndrome is more common in men than women. What causes Gilbert Syndrom

Galactosemia

Galactosemia Explore this section to learn more about Galactosemia, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. What is Galactosemia? Galactosemia is an inherited disorder that prevents a person from processing the sugar galactose, which is found in many foods. Galactose also exists as part of another sugar, lactose, found in all dairy products. Normally when a person consumes a product that contains lactose, the body breaks the lactose down into galactose and glucose. Galactosemia means too much galactose builds up in the blood. This accumulation of galactose can cause serious complications such as an enlarged liver, kidney failure, cataracts in the eyes or brain damage. If untreated, as many as 75% of infants with galactosemia will die. Duarte galactosemia is a variant of classic galactosemia. Fortunately, the complications associated with classic galactosemia have not been associated with Duarte galactosemia. There is some disagre

Biliary Atresia

Biliary Atresia Biliary atresia is a disease of the bile ducts that affects only infants. Bile is a digestive liquid that is made in the liver. It travels through the bile ducts to the small intestine, where it helps digest fats. In biliary atresia, the bile ducts become inflamed and blocked soon after birth. This causes bile to remain in the liver, where it starts to destroy liver cells rapidly and cause cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. What causes biliary atresia? The cause of this disease is not known. In some infants, the condition is most likely congenital, meaning present from birth. About one in 10 babies with biliary atresia have other congenital defects. Some research indicates that an early viral infection may be linked to biliary atresia. Scientists do know that biliary atresia is not hereditary; parents do not pass it on to their child. It is also not contagious, and it is not preventable. It is also not caused by anything an expectant

Benign Liver Tumors

Benign Liver Tumors Explore this section to learn more about the different kinds of benign liver tumors and the circumstances under which treatment may be necessary. What is a tumor? A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells or tissues. Some tumors are malignant, or cancerous. Others are benign, or noncancerous. Cancerous liver tumors can be fatal. Most of the time, cancerous tumors in the liver started in another organ and spread to the liver. This form of liver cancer is called metastatic liver cancer. Cancerous liver tumors that start in the liver are relatively rare in the United States. This form of liver cancer is called primary liver cancer. Noncancerous, or benign, liver tumors are common. They do not spread to other areas of the body, and they usually do not pose a serious health risk. How are benign liver tumors detected? In most cases, benign liver tumors are not detected because they cause no symptoms. When they are detected, it is usually becau

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune Hepatitis Explore this section to learn more about autoimmune hepatitis, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. What is autoimmune hepatitis? Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the liver and causes it to become inflamed. The disease is chronic, meaning it lasts many years. If untreated, it can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. There are two forms of this disease. Type 1, or classic, autoimmune hepatitis is the more common form. This is the form that mostly affects young women and is often associated with other autoimmune diseases. Type 2 autoimmune hepatitis is less common and generally affects girls between the ages of 2 and 14. What causes autoimmune hepatitis? Your immune system normally attacks bacteria, viruses and other invading organisms. It is not supposed to attack your own cells; if it does, the response is called autoimmunity. In autoimmune hepatitis, your imm

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: Hepatitis C

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Explore this section to learn more about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, including a description of the disorder and how it's diagnosed. What is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency? Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) is a hereditary genetic disorder which may lead to the development of lung and/or liver disease. It is the most common genetic cause of liver disease in children. Adults can also be affected by Alpha-1 and may develop lung conditions such as emphysema as well as liver problems. Fortunately, many persons diagnosed with Alpha-1 never develop any of the associated diseases. What are the symptoms of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency? In newborns, the typical symptoms of Alpha-1 are jaundice, swelling of the abdomen, and poor feeding. Alpha-1 may also appear in late childhood or adulthood and be detected because of fatigue, poor appetite, swelling of the abdomen and legs or abnormal liver tests. What causes Alpha-1