Is an enlarged liver a sign of a dangerous disease?

The liver is the largest and heaviest internal organ of the body about, with a mass of about 1.4-1.6 kg, helps in detoxification, produces bile to digest fats and produces cholesterol, plasma proteins, immune factors… As we age, the liver changes size and certain health conditions can cause it to enlarge.

Men generally have a larger liver size than women, due to their larger bodies. Some studies show that average liver size changes with age.

A study in Germany published in the journal Ultrasound in medicine measured mean liver diameter of more than 2,080 male and female participants aged 18-88 years showed that the average adult liver size is about 14 cm.

As the liver gets larger, some people may notice a feeling of fullness in the stomach, but that doesn’t always cause symptoms. Some diseases can cause liver enlargement such as acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, biliary stricture…

Causes of an enlarged liver

Acute hepatitis

Acute hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by one of five hepatitis viruses. The body can clear the virus and get rid of the disease, or the disease can develop into chronic hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and C.

Biliary stenosis

Biliary atresia affects the size or presence of bile ducts, often requiring surgery to treat.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis can be the result of long-term alcohol consumption, hepatitis, or other liver-related conditions. Cirrhosis treatments slow the progression of scarring.

Steatosis

Fatty liver can be caused by heavy alcohol use or weight gain. In the early stages, the disease can be improved by losing weight and abstaining from alcohol.

Infectious mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis is a viral disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. With treatment, the condition can improve in two weeks to several months.

Liver Cancer

Many different types of cancer can affect the liver. Treatment depends on the type of cancer and may include surgery and radiation.

Right heart failure

Right-sided heart failure can cause excess fluid to build up in the blood vessels of the liver. Treatments are usually aimed at reducing fluid buildup and improving heart function due to this serious heart failure side effect.

In addition, rare diseases such as Gaucher disease, Wilson disease, Niemann-Pick disease can cause hepatomegaly. Treatment depends on the condition of the disease.

If you have an enlarged liver, your doctor will likely consider your overall symptoms, medical history, and imaging and blood tests before making a diagnosis. Doctors will use imaging methods to estimate liver size. Sometimes the liver is so enlarged that the doctor can identify it on an X-ray. When greater accuracy is desired, doctors often use ultrasound.

How to take care of the liver

Since your liver is so important to your health, it’s important to keep it healthy. some suggestions below.

Maintain a healthy weight: because being overweight can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day: Helps burn excess fat for energy, reducing the possibility of fatty liver disease. Even if you don’t have 30 minutes to spare, try breaking up your workout into two 15-minute sessions or three 10-minute sessions.

No smoking: Medicines contain toxins that can damage liver cells and most other cells in the body. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but your doctor can help you create a plan that works for you.

Limiting alcohol intake: Drinking one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men is a moderate amount, good for the liver. If you have impaired liver function, your doctor may recommend giving up alcohol.

Avoid toxins: chemicals such as cleaning products, aerosols, insecticides and additives all contain toxins that can damage the liver. You should take safety precautions such as wearing masks and gloves and using them in ventilated areas.

Prevention of viral hepatitis: Hepatitis B and C can cause chronic damage. They are often transmitted sexually or by sharing needles with someone who has these diseases, so it’s important to practice safe sex and avoid sharing needles with others.

Vaccination against hepatitis A and B vaccines can help protect your liver.

Kim Uyen
(Follow Healthline)