Liver diseases and hepatitis – Specialist practice at Bühl/Baden-Baden
Liver diseases often go unrecognized for too long. As a specialist practice for gastroenterology, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of all diseases of the liver and bile ducts. Our experienced team of specialists provides prompt, comprehensive and individual treatment.
What does the liver do?
The liver works constantly and tirelessly. As an important detoxification station in the body, it is responsible for breaking down harmful substances such as alcohol, medication and various toxins. The liver also plays a central role in the metabolic processes of protein, fat and sugar utilization. The organ also produces coagulation factors in the bloodstream and bile acids for the digestion of fats.
The liver is surprisingly robust and able to regenerate itself in the event of damage. As a result, it can continue to perform its tasks over a long period of time despite illness – and often suffers unnoticed. However, from a certain degree of damage, the liver can no longer perform its function.
- What does the liver do?
- What liver diseases are there?
- What symptoms indicate liver disease?
- Diagnostics: How we recognize liver disease
- How are liver diseases treated?
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What liver diseases are there?
Liver diseases are widespread: In Germany alone, around five million people suffer from liver disease. The causes are varied and range from genetic diseases to viral infections and inflammation due to alcohol or obesity. The most common liver diseases in Germany include
Fatty liver
A fatty liver is when there is an increased storage of fat in the cells of the liver . A high-fat or unbalanced diet and excessive alcohol consumption can be responsible for this. Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are also common causes. If fatty liver disease is recognized and treated in time, the organ can often recover completely. If left untreated, fatty liver can lead to progressive and severe liver damage.
Liver inflammation with and without jaundice (hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and autoimmune hepatitis)
Hepatitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a virus. A distinction is made between five different groups of pathogens: Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. These are transmitted in different ways. While hepatitis A and E viruses are mainly transmitted via contaminated food, infection with hepatitis B, C and D viruses usually occurs via blood or sexual contact.
Pathogens such as the mumps virus, cytomegalovirus, rubella virus, Epstein-Barr virus (the pathogen that causes mononucleosis) and certain autoimmune diseases (autoimmune hepatitis) can also lead to inflammation of the liver.
Liver hardening and shrinkage (liver cirrhosis)
Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease of the liver in which the tissue is gradually destroyed. The liver hardens and shrinks until it can no longer fulfill its function. The most common causes of liver cirrhosis include alcohol abuse and hepatitis.
Other possible causes of non-infectious liver inflammation include iron and copper storage diseases (haemochromatosis/Wilson’s disease). Certain medications or environmental toxins can also lead to liver damage.
What symptoms indicate liver disease?
Liver diseases usually cause no pain and therefore go unnoticed for a long time. At an advanced stage, the following symptoms may occur:
- Feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen
- Extreme tiredness and fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Itching of the skin
- Nausea and vomiting
If the liver is so severely damaged that it can no longer release the yellowish bile pigment into the bile, the skin and eyeball also turn yellow (jaundice).
Diagnostics: How we recognize liver disease
When the liver is damaged, certain enzymes are elevated in the blood. The blood test is therefore an important tool if liver disease is suspected. In the case of autoimmune hepatitis or viral infection (hepatitis A, B, C, D and E), further laboratory analyses are then carried out to ensure optimal treatment. A painless ultrasound examination of the liver also provides information about the size and structure of the liver, as well as possible damage to the bile ducts.
How are liver diseases treated?
The treatment of liver disease depends on the cause. Drug treatment plays an important role in chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C in particular. Nowadays, autoimmune hepatitis can also be treated well with immunosuppressive therapy, i.e. suppression of the immune system.
All drug treatments for liver diseases, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C, are carried out in our practice. Together with our patients, we create an optimal, individually tailored treatment plan.