If your enlarged liver is the result of an acute condition, treating the condition will allow your liver to heal. If it's the result of chronic liver disease, it can potentially be reversed and in some cases cured with lifestyle changes. For example: If you have alcohol use disorder, get help to quit drinking alcohol.
Healing can begin as early as a few days to weeks after you stop drinking, but if the damage is severe, healing can take several months. In some cases, “if the damage to the liver has been long-term, it may not be reversible,” warns Dr. Stein.
The pain may be throbbing or stabbing, and it can come and go. If you experience this type of pain regularly, or if the intensity of it prevents you from functioning normally, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Hepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the liver. It's usually the result of a viral infection or liver damage caused by drinking alcohol.
Elevated liver enzymes often indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver. Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher than normal amounts of certain chemicals, including liver enzymes, into the bloodstream, elevating liver enzymes on blood tests.
Stage 1: Inflammation
In the early stages of liver disease, the liver will become swollen or inflamed as the body's natural response to injury. Liver inflammation, or hepatitis, can also occur when there are more toxins in the blood than the liver is able to manage. The earlier the diagnosis, the better.
An inflamed liver is one of the side effects of cirrhosis. The scar tissue makes it difficult for the liver to function normally. This illness can be life-threatening when it reaches an advanced stage.
If you stop drinking alcohol for 2 weeks, your liver should return to normal.
Water is the best way to recharge the liver. In addition to causing several physical symptoms, dehydration can greatly affect liver function, especially the ability to detoxify blood.
A blood test can show elevated liver enzymes. The blood test checks for raised levels of AST and ALT, which are enzymes that the liver releases when it becomes inflamed or damaged. If a doctor finds that a person has raised AST or ALT levels, they are likely to carry out further tests to determine the underlying cause.
A blood sample is tested to determine liver enzyme levels and identify viruses that can cause enlarged liver. Imaging tests. Imaging tests include CT scan, ultrasound or MRI . Magnetic resonance elastography uses sound waves to create a visual map (elastogram) of the stiffness of liver tissue.
Prednisolone – steroids can help to reduce inflammation in the liver. Steroids are usually prescribed as a reducing course. It is best to take this medication with/after food. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation – such as Adcal D3, can be prescribed for bone protection whilst taking a course of steroids.
Is mild hepatomegaly dangerous? The extent to which a slightly enlarged liver is dangerous depends on the reason for the enlargement. For people with NAFLD, a slightly enlarged liver is unlikely to pose a major threat to health.
Ascites can also develop when the liver isn't making enough blood protein (albumin). A swollen abdomen might cause discomfort or pain, and a loss of appetite or feeling full quickly. A swollen (enlarged) liver can cause pain in your right shoulder.
Foods that support liver health include berries, cruciferous vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and fatty fish. Coffee and green tea contain antioxidants that are helpful for liver health.
Liver pain is often associated with liver disease or inflammation and may get worse with alcohol consumption or by taking certain medications.
Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic and progressive condition that causes inflammation and, eventually, the destruction of the bile ducts that run through your liver. Without working bile ducts, bile backs up in your liver, causing liver damage. This can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
It's more likely your healthcare provider will discover it during an exam. They might notice that your liver is palpable to the touch, which it normally wouldn't be. If your swollen liver is a sign of liver disease, it might come with other related symptoms, such as: Fatigue.