Liver Diseases
The liver is a robust organ of the human body, undertaking several key functions in metabolism. Liver diseases reduce the ability of the organ to undertake its functions and therefore easily compound into the disease & complications.
There are various liver diseases which are detrimental to human health. One of the most common liver disorder is the fatty liver disease, caused by an accumulation of excess fat in the liver. Other liver complications could be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, cancer, injury and other complications.
The common liver diseases include:
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Hepatitis – A, B, C
- Fatty Liver of Pregnancy
Liver disease is any disturbance of liver function that causes illness. The liver is responsible for many critical functions within the body and should it become diseased or injured, the loss of those functions can cause significant damage to the body. Liver disease is also referred to as hepatic disease.
Liver disease is a broad term that covers all the potential problems that cause the liver to fail to perform its designated functions. Usually, more than 75% or three quarters of liver tissue needs to be affected before a decrease in function occurs.
The liver is the largest solid organ in the body; and is also considered a gland because among its many functions, it makes and secretes bile. The liver is located in the upper right portion of the abdomen protected by the rib cage. It has two main lobes that are made up of tiny lobules. The liver cells have two different sources of blood supply. The hepatic artery supplies oxygen rich blood that is pumped from the heart, while the portal vein supplies nutrients from the intestine and the spleen.
Normally, veins return blood from the body to the heart, but the portal vein allows nutrients and chemicals from the digestive tract to enter the liver for processing and filtering prior to entering the general circulation. The portal vein also efficiently delivers the chemicals and proteins that liver cells need to produce the proteins, cholesterol, and glycogen required for normal body activities
As part of its function, the liver makes bile, a fluid that contains among other substances, water, chemicals, and bile acids (made from stored cholesterol in the liver). Bile is stored in the gallbladder and when food enters the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), bile is secreted into the duodenum, to aid in the digestion of food.
The liver is the only organ in the body that can easily replace damaged cells, but if enough cells are lost, the liver may not be able to meet the needs of the body.
Causes Of Liver Disease
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Alcoholic Liver Disease
- Viral Hepatitis
Liver Disease Treatment
Our centre is experienced in the treatment of all diseases of the liver, including the following:
- Hepatitis B and C
- Fatty liver disease
- Metabolic liver disease
- Alpha A antitrypsin deficiency
- Hemochromatosis
- Wilson’s Disease
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Auto immune liver disease
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Liver failure
Multidisciplinary Team
The team consists of surgeons highly skilled with impeccable credentials who are ably supported by anaesthesiologists and intensivists trained in this field. Competent nursing and technical support team ensure optimum and uncompromising patient care.
Liver Transplantation
All patients with liver disease do not need transplantation. However, for patients with serious liver disease who fit into internationally accepted clinical and laboratory criteria, liver transplantation may be the only hope and Rela Hospital is the only answer as it excels in treatment of liver disease and transplantation.
At Rela Institute of Liver Disease & Transplantation , patients with liver disease will get a detailed evaluation to assess the need for liver transplantation and also to ensure that the patient can safely undergo a transplant. The options for transplantation usually include deceased donor or living liver transplant donor. Undergoing liver transplantation means a lifelong commitment to looking after your new liver and following the advice of your liver team.
We have a large team of internationally trained surgeons, physicians, intensivists and associated specialties to help you during this process. We have garnered the titles of having the best liver transplant doctor in Chennai, of being the best liver transplant hospital in Chennai, of having the best liver transplant specialist in Chennai, of having best liver transplant surgeon in Chennai and even of having best liver transplant surgeons in India. With so many titles being rendered, we are truly honoured to be treated as the best for liver care.