Latest news with #liverhealth
Health Line
12 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
A Liver Ultrasound: What This Procedure Means
Your doctor may recommend a liver ultrasound to check for signs of liver disease, and knowing what to expect can help put you at ease. A liver ultrasound is one of a few tests your doctor can order if they want to check your liver. An ultrasound scan (also known as sonography) is a noninvasive procedure that captures live images of your organs using high-frequency sound waves. A liver ultrasound is an essential tool that helps doctors see your liver and its blood vessels in real time. It's a type of abdominal ultrasound. If your doctor has ordered a liver ultrasound, it might mean they want to confirm or rule out a liver condition. Keep reading to learn what conditions a liver ultrasound can detect, what to expect from the procedure, how accurate it is, how much you might need to pay for it, and other useful information. Why is an ultrasound needed to test for liver disease? Liver disease is a general term that refers to a group of conditions affecting your liver. These conditions may have different causes, but all of them can damage your liver and affect your general health. Some of the most common liver conditions are: hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver steatotic liver disease, formerly known as fatty liver disease, or a buildup of fat in the liver autoimmune liver disorders, which result from your immune system mistakenly attacking the cells in your liver liver cancer liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure, which involve scarring and damage from liver disease Doctors usually recommend liver ultrasounds for the following reasons: if you show symptoms of liver disease, such as jaundice or pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen (where the liver is located) if you have high liver enzymes on a blood test called the liver function test as a screening tool for liver conditions The purpose of a liver ultrasound is to visualize your liver and record its blood flow. This helps doctors confirm or rule out liver conditions. What should you see on an ultrasound for liver disease? Liver ultrasounds don't usually require special preparation, but your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything several hours before the procedure. During the scan, you'll lie still on a scanning table. An ultrasound technician will place a scanner in different spots around the upper right segment of your abdomen. The resulting images will show up on a computer screen in real time. After the ultrasound is done, a doctor will check the ultrasound images. They will look for the following signs of liver disease: liver inflammation, a sign of hepatitis a buildup of fat associated with steatotic liver disease masses or lesions, which can indicate liver cancer changes in the appearance of the liver, such as nodules, which can signify cirrhosis Is a liver ultrasound accurate? A liver ultrasound is a useful tool in identifying certain types of liver disease. It's often the first test your doctor will order if they suspect a liver condition. It's a quick, safe, painless, and relatively inexpensive test. In the past, doctors relied more heavily on liver biopsy to diagnose, stage, and grade liver disease. However, newer research indicates that new liver ultrasound technologies are able to accurately detect liver disease. What does an ultrasound cost for liver disease? On average, an abdominal liver scan can cost around $1,400. However, most health insurance providers cover this procedure. Liver ultrasound costs will vary based on: where you live whether you have medical insurance the type of ultrasound Frequently asked questions How do you diagnose fatty liver disease? A doctor can diagnose steatotic liver disease using a combination of the following tests: liver ultrasound X-ray, CT, or MRI scans of the abdomen transient elastography (also known as FibroScan), shear wave elastography, or acoustic radiation force impulse imaging, which assesses liver stiffness magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), which combines MRI with low frequency sound waves to create a visual map showing liver stiffness Can you get an ultrasound for alcohol liver disease? Long-term, excessive alcohol use can lead to a buildup of fat in the liver known as alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), or steatosis. Metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD), a form of alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD), refers to liver damage due to alcohol use along with other risk factors, such as obesity or diabetes. It causes liver inflammation and scarring and can eventually lead to cirrhosis. Liver ultrasound is one of the tests used to diagnose fat in the liver. Other tests may include: a complete blood count (CBC) a liver function test CT or MRI scans a liver biopsy Is there an ultrasound for liver disease in dogs? Similar to humans, abdominal ultrasounds are commonly used in dogs and cats when a vet suspects a liver condition. Symptoms of liver disease in pets can be subtle but may include: appetite issues orange urine jaundice weight loss excessive drinking or excessive urinating light colored stool Can an abdominal ultrasound check for chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance? Certain types of liver disease can increase your risk of developing liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of that, doctors recommend regular screening for HCC in people with cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C every 6 months.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent paracetamol warning as world's most common painkiller is linked to disease that kills 30 Brits every day
A PHARMACIST has issued a warning about the world's most used painkiller paracetamol, warning it could be "quietly harming" your liver. The pill is safe to take for headaches, muscle pain and fever, as long as you're sticking to recommended amounts. But "taking too much – even slightly exceeding the recommended dose – can be extremely dangerous for your liver", warned Dipa Kamdar, a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University. It's easy to assume that alcohol is the main culprit of liver damage. "In fact, many everyday habits, often overlooked, can slowly cause damage that may eventually lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis - permanent scarring of the liver - or liver failure," the pharmacist wrote in The Conversation. This can include eating foods high in saturated fat or sugar, as well as smoking or not exercising enough - as well as taking too much paracetamol. "Despite its remarkable resilience – and even its ability to regenerate – the liver is not indestructible," Dipa said. "One of the challenges with liver disease is that it can be a silent threat. In its early stages, it may cause only vague symptoms like constant fatigue or nausea. "As damage progresses, more obvious signs may emerge. One of the most recognisable is jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow." Liver disease kills more than 11,000 people in the UK each year, according to The British Liver Trust. That amounts to more than 31 deaths a day, the charity said. It warned that liver disease deaths in the UK have quadrupled in the last 50 years, at the same time as deaths from other major diseases have fallen. Scientists discover that even really low doses of paracetamol could damage your heart Dipa explained paracetamol could be dangerous to the liver due to the way the organ processes the painkiller. As it breaks down the drug, it produces a toxic by-product called NAPQI. Normally, the body neutralises this by producing a protective substance known as glutathione. But in high doses, the liver can become overwhelmed, potentially leading to potentially life-threatening damage. "In an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells," Dipa warned. "This can result in acute liver failure, which can be fatal. "Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm," the pharmacist went on. "Always stick to the recommended dose and speak to a doctor if you find yourself needing pain relief regularly." 2 Studies have looked into the potential dangers of taking paracetamol. Research published in 2013 showed a link between liver failure and low doses of paracetamol. As Andrew Moore, an honorary senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, wrote in The Conversation: "Paracetamol is known to cause liver failure in overdose, but it also causes liver failure in people taking standard doses for pain relief. "The risk is only about one in a million, but it is a risk." Other habits damaging your liver Dipa shared other habits that may be silently damaging your liver. Drinking too much alcohol is the obvious one. When you drink, your liver works to break down the alcohol and clear it from your system, but having too much of it at once overwhelms this process and causes toxic by products to build up and damage liver cells. This can cause fat to accumulate in the liver and continued drinking can progress it to alcoholic hepatitis and then cirrhosis. Experts recommend sticking to no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and including alcohol-free days to give your liver time to recover. It's also worth taking a look at your diet to protect your liver, as foods high in saturated fat - like red meat, fried foods and processed snacks - can raise cholesterol levels and contribute to liver fat accumulation. Sugary foods and drinks are also a major risk factor, the pharmacist said. Not exercising enough can contribute to weight gain, which ups the risk of liver disease. But exercising can benefit your liver even in you don't lose weight, Dipa noted. Finally, the chemicals from cigarette smoke can make your liver work harder and contribute to cirrhosis. The British Liver Trust says 90 per cent of liver disease cases can be prevented by lifestyle changes. "You can protect [your liver] by drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, taking medications responsibly, eating a balanced diet, staying active and keeping hydrated," Dipa said.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Over-the-counter medicine taken by MILLIONS linked to surging cases of liver damage - top pharmacists claims 'It's EXTREMELY dangerous'
A painkiller found in almost every British medicine cabinet could be quietly damaging people's livers, a leading pharmacist has warned. Paracetamol—used by millions daily to treat everything from headaches to fevers—is safe when taken correctly. But even slightly exceeding the recommended dose can cause permanent liver damage, says Dipar Kamdar, a pharmacist and fellow at Kingston University. 'While generally safe when used as directed, taking too much—even slightly—can be extremely dangerous for your liver,' she wrote this week in The Conversation. 'Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm. 'Always stick to the recommended dose and speak to a doctor if you find yourself needing pain relief regularly.' She explained that the danger comes from how the liver processes paracetamol. As it breaks down the drug, it produces a toxic by-product called NAPQI. Normally, this is neutralised by a protective substance in the body known as glutathione. But in high doses, the liver can become overwhelmed—leading to potentially life-threatening damage. 'However, in an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells. This can result in acute liver failure, which can be fatal.' There is growing concern about the spiralling number of cases of liver disease. Diagnoses have surged by 40 per cent and deaths caused by liver disease have risen four-fold in the past two decades. Around 10,000 people a year die from it, with those aged 45 to 64 making up half. The British Liver Trust says 90 per cent of these can be prevented by lifestyle changes. There are two types of liver disease: alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (formerly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Excess fat build-up in the liver can cause the organ to become inflamed. Over time, this may lead to scarring that limits liver function. Left untreated, it can result in end-stage liver disease, also known as cirrhosis. Liver disease often presents with few or no symptoms in its early stages, but as it progresses can cause fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain and swelling in the legs and ankles. The liver filters toxins, produces clotting factors and regulates blood flow. When it fails, complications follow, which can result in death. The British Liver Trust estimates that 80 per cent of people living with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease are going undiagnosed—with as many as one in three suffering from some form of the condition. The pharmacist also warns that poor diet and unhealthy eating habits is a key contributor to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. She advises against foods high in saturated fat, such as red meat, fried foods and processed snacks. While suggesting that 'diets rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, and fish may reduce liver fat and improve related risk factors such as high blood sugar and cholesterol. Other risk factors include lack of exercise, smoking and drinking alcohol. Mrs Kamdar says: 'The liver is a remarkably robust organ – but it isn't invincible. You can protect it by drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, taking medications responsibly, eating a balanced diet, staying active and keeping hydrated. 'If you notice any symptoms that may suggest liver trouble, such as ongoing fatigue, nausea, or jaundice, don't delay speaking to your doctor. The earlier liver problems are detected, the better the chance of successful treatment.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Hepatologist says four snacks help reverse fatty liver disease
A doctor who specialises in gut and liver health has warned about the rise in fatty liver disease, and has explained how you can reverse the serious conditions with some simple food choices. Hepatologist and gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi says that in particular there are four snack combinations that cab help reverse fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease—also known as hepatic steatosis or, in full, metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)—develops when fat accumulates excessively in liver cells. It often has no symptoms early on, though fatigue, mild pain in the upper right abdomen, or elevated liver enzymes may appear. Over time, it can progress to inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver failure or cancer. Up to 20 per cent of adults in the UK have fatty liver in its early, often reversible stage. Around 5% of the UK population has progressed to the more serious form. Experts warn the UK could face a 'fatty liver disease tsunami' if current trends in metabolic health continueFatty liver is quietly becoming a household concern, especially as sedentary routines and processed diets take center stage. But here's a comforting thought, food can heal too. Harvard-trained liver and gut specialist Dr Saurabh Sethi has drawn attention to 4 specific snack combinations that may support the reversal of fatty liver, when paired with a healthy lifestyle. These aren't just random healthy foods, they're carefully chosen, based on how they affect liver fat metabolism, inflammation, and gut health. READ MORE: Early dementia symptom 'often' includes 2 noticeable changes – not memory loss READ MORE: Diabetics warned to avoid 1 common type of drink as blood sugar will skyrocket Dr Sethis has explained four snack combinations that will reduce symptoms, reports the Times of India. Dates are rich in soluble fibre, which helps reduce fat accumulation in the liver by slowing down digestion and sugar absorption. Walnuts are a sources of omega-3 fatty acids, linked to reduced liver inflammation and improved enzyme levels. High-quality dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress. Nuts contain vitamin E and healthy fats needed to protect liver cells. Apples contain pectin, a soluble fibre that feeds gut bacteria and reduces fat accumulation. Raw honey supports health gut microbes needed for liver health. Raw honey, in moderation, supports beneficial gut microbes that influence liver metabolism. Plain Greek yoghurt is high in protein, low in sugar, and has healthy microbe cultures for gut and liver health — a key driver in managing liver fat levels. Berries such as blueberries or strawberries are high in polyphenols and vitamin C — which reduce inflammation in the liver. Dr Sethi also recommends a Mediterranean diet high in plant-based foods, healthy fats, fish, poultry, and dairy as well as regular exercise. He said you should ditch processed foods, especially ultra-processed foods, for those with whole grains, fruits and vegetables. He also recommends yoga poses which gently compress, twist, or stretch the abdomen. Dr Sethi slao recommends drinking green tea, beetroot juice and lemon water instead of sugary drinks.
Health Line
20-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
The Progression of Hepatitis C: What Are the Stages?
Key takeaways Every case of hepatitis C begins as an acute infection. Infections that last more than 6 months are considered chronic. Many people with hepatitis C end up with chronic hepatitis C that can last a lifetime. The consequences of long-term infection include liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. Early detection and treatment are key for stopping the progression of hepatitis C and avoiding major complications. Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that leads to liver inflammation. Symptoms can be mild for many years, even while liver damage is taking place. Many people with hepatitis C end up with chronic hepatitis C that can last a lifetime. The consequences of long-term infection include liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. Early detection and treatment are key for stopping the progression of hepatitis C and avoiding major complications. How HCV is transmitted HCV is a bloodborne pathogen. That means the virus is transmitted through contact with blood that contains HCV. To reduce your risk of exposure: Avoid sharing razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, and other personal hygiene items. Avoid sharing needles, syringes, and other sharps. Disinfect wounds and surfaces touched by blood and other bodily fluids as soon as possible. Patronize tattoo and body piercing studios that practice proper sterilization practices. HCV usually isn't transmitted through sexual contact, but it's possible. Using condoms, gloves, and other barrier methods during sexual activity can help reduce your risk. Birthing parents with HCV can also transmit the virus during childbirth, but not through nursing. Early warning signs In most cases, there are no early warning signs. Most people are symptom-free and remain unaware of the infection. Others experience mild symptoms, such as fatigue and loss of appetite, which tend to resolve independently. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 30% of people clear the infection within 6 months of exposure without medical intervention. Acute hepatitis C The acute phase of hepatitis C is the first 6 months after contracting HCV. Early symptoms may include: fever fatigue loss of appetite nausea and vomiting In most cases, symptoms clear up within a few weeks. If your immune system doesn't fight the infection on its own, it enters the chronic phase. Given the vague nature of the symptoms, hepatitis C may go unnoticed for years. It's often discovered during a blood test that's being done for other reasons. Chronic hepatitis C Approximately 70% of people will go on to develop chronic hepatitis C. However, even in the chronic phase, it may take years for symptoms to show. The progression begins with inflammation of the liver, followed by the death of liver cells. This causes scarring and hardening of liver tissue. Roughly 15–30% of people with chronic hepatitis C go on to develop cirrhosis of the liver within 20 years. Cirrhosis of the liver When permanent scar tissue replaces healthy liver cells, and your liver loses the ability to function, it's called cirrhosis. In this condition, your liver can no longer heal itself. This can cause fluid to build up in your abdomen and the veins in your esophagus to bleed. When the liver fails to filter toxins, they can build up in your bloodstream and impair brain function. Cirrhosis of the liver can sometimes develop into liver cancer. This risk is greater in people who drink excess alcohol. Treatment of cirrhosis depends on the progression of the condition. End-stage hepatitis C Chronic hepatitis C can cause serious long-term health consequences when it leads to liver scarring. End-stage hepatitis C occurs when the liver is severely damaged and can no longer function properly. Symptoms may include: fatigue nausea and vomiting loss of appetite abdominal swelling yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) muddled thinking People with cirrhosis may also experience bleeding in the esophagus, as well as brain and nervous system damage. A liver transplant is the only treatment for end-stage liver disease. Factors that affect the progression Because alcohol is processed in the liver, consumption of excess alcohol can hasten liver damage, so it's important not to drink it. Damage also progresses faster in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV. People who also have hepatitis B are at an increased risk of developing liver cancer. Males who have cirrhosis tend to experience faster disease progression than females. People over 40 with cirrhosis also experience faster disease progression than younger people. If you suspect that you have hepatitis C, consult with a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to prevent and treat any serious complications or progression. Frequently asked questions What is the life expectancy of a person with hepatitis C? Many people live for years after receiving a hepatitis C diagnosis. Your outlook ultimately depends on the stage at diagnosis, whether liver damage has occurred, and your overall health. How many people experience long-term complications of hepatitis C? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 5–25 out of every 100 people who have hepatitis C develop cirrhosis within 10–20 years. People who develop cirrhosis have a 3–6% annual risk of hepatic decompensation or 'decompensated' cirrhosis. This occurs when your liver function decreases and may be a sign of end-stage hepatitis C. People who develop cirrhosis also have a 1–4% annual risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the most common type of primary liver cancer. What are the chances of dying from hepatitis C? Hepatitis C alone typically isn't fatal, but complications from untreated or advanced hepatitis C can be. People who develop decompensated cirrhosis, for example, have a 15–20% risk of death within a year of diagnosis. If you have questions about your outlook, talk with your healthcare professional. They're the only person with direct insight into your diagnosis and medical history.
