Is Mild Hepatomegaly reversible?

Overview

Mild Hepatomegaly is the medical term for an enlarged liver than a normal liver. Mild Hepatomegaly is more of a wake-up call than a disease. It indicates liver disease, congestive heart failure or cancer.

Symptoms of Mild Hepatomegaly

Mild Hepatomegaly does not have any symptoms. Slight pain in the upper right abdomen is experienced occasionally by some people. The enlargement of the liver itself is a symptom of other underlying diseases like congestive heart failure, liver disease, or cancer. In the case of liver disease, the commonly seen symptoms are as follows:

1. Abdominal pain
2. Fatigue
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Jaundice

What Causes Mild Hepatomegaly?

There are a wide variety of diseases that can cause mild hepatomegaly. The size of the liver varies with age, sex, and body size. Some of the infections that cause Mild Hepatomegaly include viral hepatitis, toxins, and genetic diseases. Some cancer tumours may also cause liver enlargement. There are many other conditions due to which the liver enlarges,

1. Liver Diseases

• Cirrhosis
• Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Amyloidosis
• Wilson’s disease
• Hemochromatosis
• Gaucher’s disease
• Fluid-filled pockets in the liver (liver cysts)

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Also Read: Hepatitis A – All About It

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2. Cancers

• Cancer that spreads to the liver
• Leukaemia
• Liver cancer
• Lymphoma

3. Heart and Blood Vessel Problems

• Blockage of the veins that drain the liver (Budd-Chiari syndrome)
• Heart failure
• Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart (pericarditis)

Risk Factors of Mild Hepatomegaly

An enlarged liver is an effect of liver disease. Some of the common factors that increase the risk factors of liver disease are

1. Excessive alcohol consumption – Alcohol consumption beyond a normal rate is detrimental to the liver.
2. Consuming heavy doses of medications or supplements – Taking medications not prescribed or in moderation can affect the liver.
3. Herbal supplements – Certain supplements, including black cohosh, ma huang and valerian, can increase your risk of liver damage.
4. Infections – A few infectious diseases like viral, bacterial, or parasitic can increase the risk of liver disease.
5. Poor eating habits – Obesity is a considerable risk factor for liver disease. And so is the pattern of unhealthy eating habits.

How to Prevent Mild Hepatomegaly

To reduce the risk of a liver disease

1. 1. Eat a healthy, balanced diet – Consume a diet full of all the nutrients required for the body: fruits, Vegetables, and Whole grains.

1. 1. Drink alcohol in moderation – It is advisable to consume alcohol in moderation, even occasionally.

1. 1. Taking medications in the right amount – Always take medicines as advised by the doctor.

1. 1. Limit contact with chemicals – While working with chemicals, wear gloves, long sleeves and a mask.

1. 1. Maintain a healthy weight – If you feel like you are overweight, consult a nutritionist about the best way to lose weight organically.

1. 1. Quit smoking – Smoking can affect your liver through the inflammatory pathways. Quit smoking to help you prevent the increased risk of liver disease.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Mild Hepatomegaly

Mild Hepatomegaly is often diagnosed during a physical examination. Therefore, your healthcare provider will primarily take a history of your results and perform a physical inspection searching for risk factors for liver disease. In addition, they will be looking for signs and symptoms of liver enlargement.

Imaging tests are used to confirm Mild Hepatomegaly. In addition, blood tests are used to determine if there is ongoing liver inflammation. These tests will also give us a combined study as to why the liver is enlarged.

An abdominal ultrasound is the first study in imaging tests. During an ultrasound, a sonographer places a device on our skin and records the resulting images. These ultrasound machines are painless, non-invasive, fast, and inexpensive.

Some additional procedures also include

1. Blood tests – A blood – sample is taken to determine the liver enzyme level and determine the cause of liver enlargement.
2. Liver biopsy – A liver biopsy is often done using a long, thin needle inserted through your skin and into your liver.
3. Magnetic resonance elastography – It can be an alternative to a liver biopsy and uses sound waves to create a visual map (elastogram) of liver tissue stiffness.

Occasionally a liver biopsy is needed to attain a final diagnosis. A biopsy is a procedure of removing a small amount of tissue to examine under a microscope. Like paracentesis, this procedure is also performed with an anaesthetic by placing a small needle into the liver through the skin.

Treatment for Mild Hepatomegaly

Mild Hepatomegaly is a symptom of an underlying disease in the liver. It may or not require treatment in the first place. The cause of your liver enlargement determines treatment for Mild Hepatomegaly. Being aware of the symptom that caused your liver enlargement is a must before you meet with the doctor for treatment.

People also ask

1. Is Mild Hepatomegaly Serious?

Rather than calling it a disease, it is a symptom of an underlying disease in your body. For example, Mild Hepatomegaly is only a medical term for an enlarged liver.

2. Is Mild Hepatomegaly Life-Threatening?

Mild Hepatomegaly is not a disease but a sign of a disease. It can sometimes be associated with fatty liver diseases, malaria, etc.

3. Is Mild Hepatomegaly Reversible?

Yes, the liver has an outstanding capability to heal itself. If the preventive measures are followed correctly, mild hepatomegaly can easily be reversed.