The Most Important Facts About Kidney Transplant

We are all aware that organs can be donated, but most of us think this can only be done after death. But what if there were organs could donate while still alive? A single kidney and part of the liver can actually be donated while the donor is still alive and this won’t significantly impact their health.

Kidney donations and kidney transplants are the most common type of transplantation surgery and yet there is still a stark imbalance between the number of people waiting for a transplant and the number of donor organs available for transplantation.

So what do you need to know about a kidney transplant? Let’s start at the beginning

The Kidneys And Their Various Functions

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs situated on either side of the spine, in the upper-middle of the back. The kidneys are essentially responsible for filtering toxins out of the blood and maintaining the water and electrolyte balance in the body. Almost everyone has two kidneys but a single kidney is capable of doing the work of two kidneys if needed. This is why a kidney can be donated even when the donor is still alive and healthy.

Who Needs A Kidney Transplant And Who Can Donate?

Kidney transplants are usually needed for people with severe renal failure, end-stage kidney disease, or those with congenital complications that affect their renal functions. A kidney specialist such as a nephrologist or urologist evaluates patients for transplantation.

Most kidney specialists recommend kidney transplantation primarily for people with end-stage renal disease, regardless of the underlying cause which can be diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, genetic conditions like polycystic kidneys, inborn errors of metabolism, and autoimmune conditions like lupus.

Anyone who is healthy can donate a kidney. The donor has to undergo thorough medical and psychological screening to ensure that they are fit for surgery.

Kidney transplants help people get off dialysis and improves quality of life while decreasing the risk of mortality.

Who Conducts A Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is a complex surgical procedure. For the health and safety of both the donor and the recipient, kidney transplants are conducted by a transplant team and not one to two surgeons.

The transplant team consists of the best kidney specialists, urologists, nephrologists, transplant surgeons, transplant nurses, and a transplant coordinator.

It is important to find the best kidney transplant hospital you can. This is a highly specialised surgery and needs to be managed with the utmost care. Find a kidney specialist hospital so you can be sure that the procedure will be conducted carefully. Hyderabad is a leading centre for kidney transplants in India with some of the best urologists, nephrologists, and transplant specialists in the country.

How Is A Kidney Transplant Done?

A kidney transplant involves replacing both damaged or diseased kidneys with a healthy donor kidney. Since one kidney can do the job of two, only one donor kidney is required for one recipient.

The surgery takes about 3 to 4 hours and is performed under general anesthesia by kidney specialists and transplant surgeons. The damaged kidneys are usually not removed unless they are infected or malignant. The new kidney is placed in the lower abdomen, below the damaged kidneys and near the groin. The healthy kidney is then connected to the blood vessels and new ureter is used to connect the new kidney to the bladder.

Transplanted organs are recognised as foreign by the host immune system which attacks it. This can be fatal, so to prevent this from happening the transplant recipient will have to take immunosuppressant drugs (medication to lower the immune response) for the entire duration of their life.

What Are The Risks of A Kidney Transplant?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with a kidney transplant which includes:

• Blood loss
• Infection
• Rejection of the new kidney
• Failure of the new kidney
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Proteinuria (excretion of protein in the urine)
• Post-transplant lymphoma
• High blood pressure
• Side effects associated with medication such as weight gain, excessive hair growth, acne, diabetes, etc.

Despite this, a kidney transplant is still the best option for people with renal failure or terminal kidney diseases.

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Burning Up: Don’t Let Gastritis Ruin Your Life

We all experience some stomach difficulties now and then. Just image if you had to live with them all the time!

Gastritis is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorder and it’s estimated that almost half of the global population lives with gastritis. Contrary to popular belief, acidity is not the same thing as gastritis. These are two separate conditions but sometimes they may occur together.

Gastritis becomes more common as people get older. Gastritis may be acute or chronic and it may or no have any symptoms. Gastritis treatment in Hyderabad is available in many hospitals. As with all medical treatments, a doctor is needed to oversee the gastritis treatment in Hyderabad.

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is a group of conditions in which there is inflammation or irritation of the stomach walls. The stomach lining is actually very resilient and can withstand the highly acidic stomach juices. The cells of the stomach walls secrete mucus to protect against the acid. If there is a disruption in the balance between acid produced and mucus secreted, the acid can irritate and damage the stomach walls.

The most common cause of gastritis is infection with a bacteria called H.pylori. Many people, especially older populations, have this infection and usually doesn’t cause a problem. In some cases, the bacterial infection can lead to gastritis, especially in chronic cases.

Other causes of gastritis are excessive use of certain medication like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), chronic stress, illnesses like Crohn’s disease, excessive alcohol use, and a poor diet.

Signs And Symptoms Of Gastritis

Gastritis may not have any symptoms at all, but most people report upper abdominal pain. Other signs and symptoms of gastritis are:

• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Bloating
• Gassiness
• Feeling full very fast
• Loss of appetite
• Black stools
• Vomiting blood, in severe cases or erosive gastritis

Treatment Of Gastritis

Treatment of gastritis depends on the cause of the inflammation. If it is due to excessive use of NSAIDs and other medications, these medications may need to be stopped. Gastritis due to bacterial infection requires more extensive treatment. Most treatments for gastritis aim to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.

Medications called proton pump inhibitors can help to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. These medications block the cells that produce stomach acid. Another type of medication called H2 blockers can also be used to reduce acid production, but these are not as effective as proton pump inhibitors. Both these medications are available over-the-counter and on prescription.

Mild cases of gastritis can be treated with antacids like milk of magnesia which neutralize the acid in the stomach.

Gastritis due to H.pylori infection can be treated with various courses and combinations of antibiotics along with a proton pump inhibitor.

LIfestyle and diet changes can also help to reduce symptoms. Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption, eating less spicy food, and including more probiotics in the diet is recommended. Gastritis treatment in Hyderabad should be initiated under the supervision of a doctor.

When Should I See A Doctor For Gastritis?

Most cases of gastritis may be mild and resolve on their own. You should see a doctor for gastritis treatment in Hyderabad if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Blood in the stools
• Vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds
• Other symptoms last over a week
• Gastritis triggered by medications

Gastritis treatment in Hyderabad can help you find relief from this uncomfortable syndrome and regain your lease on life.

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One Heart, Two Lives: How Heart Transplants Save Lives

A heart transplant may sound scary to some. After all, this is one of the most revered organs after the brain. A heart transplant is a complex procedure but it saves countless lives all across the globe. Moreover, a heart transplant in Hyderabad is needed every day. There are a number of heart hospitals in Hyderabad that perform heart transplant.

As with any other organ transplant, a heart transplant involves replaced a damaged heart with a healthy donor heart.

What Is A Heart Transplant?

A heart transplant is a surgical procedure to replace a failing or damaged heart with a healthy heart from a recently deceased donor. Heart transplants may be needed in patients with severe heart failure who cannot be treated with other medical means. This severity of heart failure is called ‘end-stage’ since at that point, all treatments have failed and the only option left is a heart transplant.

While it is a complex procedure, the survival rates are good and modern medicine is continuously improving the outcomes of transplant surgeries.

Who Needs A Heart Transplant?

A heart transplant may be indicated in the following cases:

• Cardiomyopathy- a group of conditions causing enlargement and weakening of the heart
• Severe coronary artery disease- accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries of the heart.
• Congenital heart defects
• Fatal or life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular arrhythmias.
• Failure of a previous heart transplant.

However, there are cases in which a heart transplant is contraindicated including:

• Late-stage kidney, liver, or lung diseases.
• Age over 65
• Tobacco, alcohol, or drug use
• Cancer and life-threatening systemic diseases.
• Recent stroke
• Insulin-dependent diabetes
• Severe obesity
• Vascular disease

People who do not qualify for a heart transplant have other treatment options such as Ventricular Assist Devices and artificial hearts.

How Can You Donate A Heart?

In India, organ donation is governed by the Transplantation of Human Organs Act of 1994. Generally, to donate a heart the donor must be declared brain dead, should be less than 65 years old with no history of heart disease or trauma to the chest and no communicable diseases (hepatitis, HIV, etc.). A person can register to donate organs while they are alive which authorizes the harvesting of their organs after death, or their first-degree relatives can give consent for donation after death.

What Are The Possible Complications Of Heart Transplant Surgery?

As with all surgical procedures and organ transplants, there are potential risks and complications associated with heart transplant surgery. These complications may be:

• Post-surgical sepsis
• Infection of the surgical site
• Excessive blood loss
• Rejection of the donor heart
• Failure of the donor heart
• Complications associated with medications

Anybody who undergoes an organ transplant will have to be on medications for the rest of their lives to suppress their immune system (immunosuppressants). This is because the immune system naturally identifies the donor organ as a foreign entity in the body and attacks it. This can cause rejection and failure of the donor organ. To prevent this, immunosuppressants are needed.

Immunosuppressants have side effects such as increased risk of cancer, thickening of blood vessels, weight gain, kidney problems, and increased risk of infections.

What Is The Prognosis Of Heart Transplant In Hyderabad?

In the past, a heart transplant was a risky and dangerous procedure with a low survival rate. Thankfully, this is not the case anymore.

Heart transplants have a good outcome with 70-75% of people living for over 5 years after a transplant. The one year survival rate is 80-90%.

The success of a heart transplant depends on the general health of the patient, the expertise and experience of the surgical team, and many other factors.

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Cardiomyopathy: A Big Heart Is Not Always A Good Thing

Having a ‘big heart’ may be a great thing in metaphorical terms but in literal cases, it is a serious medical condition. Enlargement of the heart muscles is known as cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is actually a group of conditions that affect the ability of the heart muscles to pump blood.

The human heart consists of four chambers- two atria and two ventricles. The atria receive blood and the ventricles pump blood out of the heart. These chambers are made of a special type of muscle called cardiac muscle. Cardiomyopathy affects the size and shape of the heart muscles.

Cardiomyopathy can involve stiffening of the heart muscles, thickening of the muscles, or stretching of the cardiac muscles.

Types Of Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathies are of four main types: dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy

This is a type of condition in which the heart muscles become thin and stretched which makes them weak and unable to pump blood adequately. This is the most common type of cardiomyopathy.

Thinning of the heart muscle causes enlargement of the heart. The weakness of the heart can lead to heart failure.

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This is a genetic form of cardiomyopathy in which there is thickening of the heart muscles which restricts the flow of blood through the heart and from the heart to the rest of the body. The thickening of the walls of the heart means that the heart can’t hold as much blood as it should be able to.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed but it is a leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young people.

• Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia

In this type of cardiomyopathy, the cardiac muscle of the ventricles is replaced by fat and fibrous tissue. This is a rare form of cardiomyopathy.

Loss of cardiac muscle cells can lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. This type of cardiomyopathy is called by a mutation in the genes that control proteins that produce cardiac cells. This causes cell death of the cardiac muscle cells and the dead cells are replaced by fibrous tissue and fat.

• Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the walls of the ventricles stiffen and are unable to relax. This affects the pumping of blood out of the heart. It is the least common form of cardiomyopathy.

The cause is unknown but it can be caused by scarring after a heart transplant or it may be an inherited condition.

Other types of cardiomyopathy include stress cardiomyopathy, secondary cardiomyopathy, and ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Symptoms Of Cardiomyopathy

Since cardiomyopathy affects the pumping functions of the heart, it can give rise to the following symptoms:

• Breathlessness
• Fatigue
• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
• Chest pain
• Dizziness and fainting
• Low exercise tolerance
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Swelling of the extremities especially the feet and legs
• Fluid accumulation in the abdomen
• Persistent coughing, especially while lying down

Treatment Of Cardiomyopathy

Prior to initiation of treatment, an accurate diagnosis of cardiomyopathy is required. Diagnosis of cardiomyopathy involves a thorough physical exam, electrocardiography (ECG), blood test, genetic testing, and echocardiography.

Treatment of cardiomyopathy can include the following approaches:

• Lifestyle changes such as a low salt diet, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake.
• Medications to treat high blood pressure, swelling and fluid retention, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms, and medications to manage heart failure.
• Surgical procedures to remove the thickened heart muscle
• Implantation of a pacemaker
• Heart transplant (in severe cases)
• Implantation of an internal defibrillator

Who Is At Risk For Cardiomyopathy?

Family history and genetic factors are one of the biggest predators for development of cardiomyopathy. Other factors that put a person at risk for cardiomyopathy are:

• Severe obesity
• Diabetes
• Alcohol dependence
• Sarcoidosis
• Chronic hypertension
• Heart attack
• HIV/AIDS

Cardiomyopathy can be life-threatening but it often goes undiagnosed. Being aware of your family history regarding cardiac conditions as well as regular heart check-ups can help to detect this condition and initiate treatment if needed.

Endometriosis Is An Invisible Illness: It Time We Paid Attention

Endometriosis was first reported in the mid 19th century but women have been living and suffering with this disorder for millenia.

It is estimated that 1 in 10 women of reproductive age have endometriosis. This is a painful and often debilitating illness that sadly many people, both men and women, are unaware of.

So what exactly is endometriosis? Let’s find out.

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the uterus starts to grow outside of the uterus. This uterine lining is called the endometrium, hence the term endometriosis.

Most of the endometrial tissue that grows outside the uterus is found within the reproductive system such as in the ovaries or fallopian tubes. In some cases, it may grow outside the reproductive system, especially in the structures of the pelvis.

The endometrial tissue that grows outside the uterus are called endometrial implants.

During the normal menstrual cycle, if the woman is not pregnant the endometrium is shed and expelled from the body along with blood and other tissue. This happens due to hormonal conditions. Endometrial tissue that grows outside the uterus also responds to these hormonal cycles and this give rise to the painful symptoms of endometriosis.

Endometrial implants can also bleed and this blood can collect in between the organs can cause complications such as adhesion of the organs.

Endometriosis affects 3% to 10% of women and is more commonly diagnosed in women in their 30s and 40s.

Signs And Symptoms Of Endometriosis

The signs and symptoms of endometriosis are varied. Severity of symptoms range from mild to disabling. The most common signs and symptoms of endometriosis are:

• Pelvic pain, either chronic or only during menstruation
• Pain during sex
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Uncomfortable bowel movements
• Increased frequency of urination or painful urination
• Low-grade fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Low blood sugar
• Fatigue
• Infertility

There are women with endometriosis who have no symptoms.

Pelvic pain in endometriosis is often chronic and can occur before, during, and after the menstrual period. Some women have constant pelvic pain. The pain arises due to the endometrial implants shedding, bleeding, and causing adhesion of the internal organs. In severe cases, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, bladder, and rectum can become bound together.

40-50% of women with endometriosis are infertile due to the inflammatory response in the early stages of this condition and distortion of reproductive anatomy in the later stages.

Endometriosis also increases the risk for certain cancers such as non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, brain cancer, and ovarian cancer. Interestingly, it is not linked to endometrial cancer.

Treatment Of Endometriosis

There is no known cure for endometriosis, so current treatment focuses on symptom relief and symptom control. The treatment options include medications, hormonal therapy, and surgery. Treatment depends on the health of the woman, the extent and severity of the condition, and whether the woman plans on having a child.

Medications used for endometriosis are generally painkillers. Most over-the-counter pain medications can be used like paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Hormonal treatments can be considered for some women. Hormonal therapies like oral contraceptive pills are commonly used to lessen the bleeding and hormonal shifts associated with a menstrual period.

Surgery is used to remove endometrial implants, remove any scar tissue that has formed, and to clear adhesions. This type of conservative surgery is often done laparoscopically. It is recommended for women who plan to conceive since the reproductives system is preserved.

Last-resort surgery involves the removal of the ovaries and sometimes the uterus as well. This is done for women in whom other treatments have not worked and the condition is debilitating.

Women at all ages can develop endometriosis but women of reproductive age are most at risk. Endometriosis is a painful, chronic condition but there are effective treatments available. Don’t live in pain- consult a specialist to get evaluated so that you can move forward into a pain-free future.

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A Real Pain In The Back: The Truth About Low Back Pain

We’ve all been there. Almost everyone experiences some form of back pain in their lives. With our sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, and uncomfortable chairs, it’s only natural that our backs bear the brunt.

About 80% of adults have low back pain. Low back pain has a huge economic burden due to disability and missed work days.

Low back pain can vary in severity from mild to so severe that the person is immobilised. It has become so commonplace that we almost take it as a fact of life. But what is low back pain? What are its causes? And how can it be treated? Let’s find out!

The Long And Short Of It: Spine Anatomy

The human spine is made up of 33 small bones called vertebrae, that are placed one over the other. They provide protection to the delicate spinal cord. The spine also has various supportive structures such as intervertebral discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The four main regions of the spine are cervical (neck), thoracic (upper back), lumbar (lower back), and sacral (genita/anal region).

The main function of the spine is to provide support the weight of the body and keep the body upright. It also serves as protection for the spinal cord and spinal nerves that supply the entire body and relay motor, sensory, and reflex impulses.

What Is Low Back Pain?

Low back pain usually originates from the lumbar portion of the spine since this region supports most of the body weight. Low back pain involves the muscles, ligaments, bones, or nerves of the back and sometimes a combination of these structures.

Low back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute episodes last for less than 6 weeks, chronic episodes are more than 12 weeks, and subchronic episodes of low back pain last for 6 to 12 weeks. Everyone experiences the pain differently, from a dull ache to sharp, shooting pain.

Most cases of low back pain last for a few days or weeks and resolve with minimal medical intervention but about 20% of people who have acute low back pain go on to develop chronic back pain.

Causes of Low Back Pain

Most cases of low back pain are mechanical in nature. The vertebrae are separated from each other by soft intervertebral discs and muscles are attached to the bony structures via ligaments. 31 pairs of spinal nerves leave the spinal cord. Damage, degeneration or disease in any of these structures can cause low back pain.

Common causes of low back pain include:

• Age-related degeneration- wear and tear over time can weaken the bones of the spine, reduce elasticity of the ligaments, and cause degeneration of the disc and all this can cause stiffness and pain in the back. Age-related degeneration can start as early as age 30.
• Muscle or ligament strain- lifting heavy objects, improper lifting techniques, and overstretching the back can all cause low back pain.
• Herniated disc- if the soft intervertebral discs become overly-compresses, the can bulge out and cause back pain
• Spinal stenosis- narrowing or stenosis of the spinal column can put pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves resulting in pain and other symptoms.
• Inflammatory conditions like arthritis and spondylitis.
• Infections such as osteomyelitis.
• Tumours.

The causes of low back pain range from minor to serious. If low back pain becomes a persistent problem in your life and hampers your normal functioning, it is best to get evaluated by a specialist such as an orthopedician. Find the best orthopaedic doctor in hyderabad and a good orthopaedic hospital in hyderabad for the best evaluation and treatment.

Treatment Of Low Back Pain

Acute episodes of low back pain can be managed at home while more severe and chronic cases may need medical intervention.

Treatment for low back pain include:

• Medications such as Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and paracetamol, painkillers like aspirin, steroids, etc.
• Ice packs.
• Activities such as muscle stretches and walking.
• Physical therapy to strengthen the core muscles of the body
• Weight loss
• Improvement of posture

The more severe conditions associated with low back pain such as spinal stenosis may require surgery for treatment.

Low back pain is an epidemic in our modern lifestyles. Make changes to your routine for a healthier and pain-free future.

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Health Tips For Diabetes

We all know at least one person affected by diabetes. Or maybe you live with diabetes yourself. No matter the case, management of diabetes is a life-long and often tedious process.

Diabetes is a type of metabolic disorder that affects the interaction between blood glucose, insulin, and the cells of the body. Insulin is a hormone that helps to move glucose or sugar from the blood into the cells.

The medical term for diabetes is Diabetes Mellitus. In diabetes, levels of glucose in the blood are elevated which can cause a number of problems.

The symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, increased urination, weight changes, fatigue, and increased hunger.

Types Of Diabetes

There are three types of diabetes:

• Type 1: this type of diabetes is caused by an insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas. This type is also called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. It is not as common as the other types.
• Type 2: this is the most common and recognizable type of diabetes mellitus. It begins when cells lose their normal response to insulin which is called insulin resistance. Eventually, if the disorder persists there may also be a deficiency of insulin in the body.
• Gestational diabetes: this is seen in pregnant women who do not have a prior diagnosis of diabetes. This condition usually resolves after pregnancy.

With the busy lifestyles we lead these days, it may seem difficult to manage diabetes and not compromise on your time and energy.

However, there are plenty of small ways you can tackle diabetes and live a healthy life.

How To Manage Diabetes

1.Eat regular meals

Regular meals are the holy grail of diabetes care. A regular meal schedule will prevent any sudden dips or surges in blood sugar levels which is vital for diabetic patients. A mostly steady blood glucose levels can help augment the medications used to treat diabetes. Keep your meals small, regular, and nutritious.

2. Get active

Daily exercise for at least 30 mins can help you manage the weight changes associated with diabetes. Exercise may also help reduce insulin resistance and improve insulin sensitivity. Apart from exercise, you can also work on being more active overall. Take a walk during lunch, use the stairs, stretch at your desk, and other small changes like this can make a big difference.

3. Get a good night’s sleep

If you don’t sleep properly, you tend to overeat and have poor impulse control and decision-making skills. This will lead to not just overeating, but overeating junk food and sugary snacks which can further impair your body’s ability to maintain blood sugar levels and process insulin.

4. Eat more protein

Protein makes you feel full and keeps you satisfied for longer. If you do not eat enough protein, you will tend to eat too often and too erratically. Include more proteins such as chicken, pulses, peanuts, etc. in your diet for a more fulfilling meal and better appetite control.

5. Take your medications correctly

Since diabetes is a metabolic condition and involves a hormone, the way you take your medications can affect their effectiveness. Your doctor will advise you on how and when to take your medications whether they are tablets, injections, or both. Make sure you follow these instructions religiously.

6. Quit smoking

You know that smoking has many bad side-effects. In diabetes, smoking nicotine increases your chances of developing cardiovascular disorders and reduces blood flow to the extremities like the feet which puts you at risk for diabetic foot syndrome. Diabetic foot can get so severe that in some cases the foot or leg has to be amputated. Smoking can also hasten the damage caused to the eyes and nerves by diabetes.

7. Manage stress

Stress releases a slew of chemicals in the body that can elevate blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as cause thickening of the blood vessels. Control and manage stress levels for peace of mind and better control of the diabetic symptoms.

8. Be meticulous with wound care

In diabetes, even small cuts and wounds can take a long time to heal. This puts you at increased risk for infection. Take special care to clean and disinfect any wounds regularly till they heal. If they don’t heal, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Diabetes can be deadly if left untreated. Don’t wait till it’s too late. Get your diabetes under control right now. What are you waiting for? A healthy and happy life is just a few changes away!

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A Silent Killer: Fatty Liver Disease

You may think that just because you don’t drink to excess that you are safe from liver disease. Think again.

Fatty liver disease is a condition in which there is excess fat deposition and accumulation in the liver. It is of two types: alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Liver: Overview And Anatomy

The liver is a visceral organ and is the largest internal organ in humans. The main function of the liver is to clear toxins and to purify the blood. The liver is located in the upper right area of the abdomen.

It also synthesizes proteins and enzymes that are essential for digestion.

The cells of the liver are called hepatocytes. These cells are highly specialized and produce bile and other enzymes as well as clearing waste and toxins from the blood.

The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself. However, beyond a certain point the damage becomes irreversible and liver failure sets it. Currently, the only way to cure liver failure is transplantation.

Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic liver disease is a group of conditions characterized by fat accumulation in the liver cells in the absence of alcohol abuse. It is usually associated with metabolic conditions like obesity and insulin resistance.

The two main types of non-alcoholic liver disease are simple fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Simple fatty liver disease means that there is excess fat in the liver without associated inflammation of the liver tissue. This condition is more common than the other variant and usually doesn’t progress or cause serious complications.

NASH is more severe and is associated with inflammation and damage to the liver cells. This can progress to scarring, cirrhosis, and even cancer.

Non-alcoholic liver disease is usually diagnosed in people in their 40s and 50s who develop the condition due to obesity, insulin resistance (cells don’t have a normal response to insulin), high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Alcoholic Liver Disease

As the name suggests, this liver disease is caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Since the liver clears toxins from the body, it is also responsible for processing alcohol and clearing it from the blood. Breakdown of alcohol in the liver releases certain harmful metabolites and these substances can damage the liver tissue over time.

Excessive alcohol intake worsens this condition while stopping alcohol consumption can reverse some of the damage in the early stages of alcoholic liver disease. If the disease is allowed to progress, it will worsen into liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and even irreversible liver failure which will require a liver transplant.

Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver while cirrhosis is the buildup of scar tissue in the liver that interferes with the normal functions of the liver.

Signs And Symptoms Of Fatty Liver Disease

In most cases, fatty liver disease does not manifest any signs or symptoms. This is especially true in the earlier stages of the disease.

As the disease progresses, the following signs and symptoms may be seen:

• Pain in the upper right abdominal area
• Swelling on the right side of the abdomen
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes, and nails)
• Swollen blood vessels over the abdomen
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Indigestion, nausea, and vomiting
• Increased bleeding tendency
• Confusion and disorientation

Causes Of Fatty Liver Disease

The most common factors implicated in the development of fatty liver disease are:

• Excessive alcohol intake (more than 2 drinks per day for women and 3 for men)
• Obesity
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Metabolic disorders
• High cholesterol levels
• Rapid weight loss
• Unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle

Treatment Of Fatty Liver Disease

If fatty liver disease is caused by alcohol, the best treatment is to stop drinking. If caught and controlled early, most of the damage can be reversed.

Weight loss and switching to a healthy lifestyle is extremely beneficial to preventing and treating fatty liver disease. Controlling blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels is also essential.

If fatty liver disease has progressed to liver failure, the only treatment option is a liver transplant.

The liver is a very vital organ. Just because it can regenerate doesn’t mean that it is indestructible. Take care of your liver and your liver will take care of you.