Diagnostics | Liver & Bile | Liver Cirrhosis | Hepatitis | Liver Cancer | Gallstones
The liver – detoxification station of our body
High-tech diagnostics for liver and bile
The liver is the central organ of the metabolism of our body. It fulfils many metabolism functions and takes care, among other things, of the detoxification of the body. It also produces bile. This fluid helps in the digestion of fats. Damage of the liver has far-reaching consequences for the entire organism. Here is a list of possible liver diseases and diseases of the billiary tract:
Liver cirrhosis develops especially due to long-term excessive alcohol use.
Complaints occur very late – for example pale facial colour, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, constipation, distention, jaundice and loss of pubic hair. Once dead, liver tissue does not regenerate, so live cirrhosis can not be cured directly with medicines. However the symptoms can be treated.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver.
There are 3 forms: hepatitis A, B and C. Five different virus types can be responsible. People can be vaccinated against some. Hepatitis C is the most dangerous type and it can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Possible symptoms: fever, nausea, digestion disturbances, joint and limb pain, weakness, fatigue, liver swelling and jaundice.
Liver cancer is a rather rare liver disease and is frequently discovered late because the complaints are attributed in most cases to other diseases. They can be: loss of appetite, weight loss, low-grade fever, right-sided upper abdominal pain and worsening of the patient’s general condition.
Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are very common and do not cause any symptoms in 50% of the cases. These stones are called “silent”. They are discovered accidentally. If they are not silent, they trigger severe crampy pain in most cases. A gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis) occurs predominantly in patients who have gallstones. The symptoms: sudden severe pain in the right upper abdomen, fever and chills, vomiting, discoloured stool and mild jaundice.
Preventive measures and competent diagnostic work are becoming increasingly important for the early detection or even avoidance of such liver diseases or diseases of the billiary tract.
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