Disorders of the Liver Flashcards
Functions of the Liver
- Detoxifies
- Storage
- Activates vitamin D
- Fetal RBC production
- Phagocytosis
- Metabolizes absorbed food molecules
How does the liver detoxify for the body?
Detoxifies and removes alcohol and drugs
What does the liver store in the body?
- Glycogen
- Vitamins A, D, E , and K
- Fe and other minerals
- Cholesterol
What kind of food molecules does the liver metabolize?
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Lipids
Types of Hepatitis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Drug-Induced Hepatitis
- Hep A
- Hep B
- Hep C
- Delta Agent (Hep D)
Alcoholic Hepatitis: What is it?
Damage to the liver and its function due to alcohol abuse
Autoimmune Hepatitis: What is it?
Occurs when immune cells mistake the liver’s normal cells for harmful invaders and attack them
Hepatitis D (Delta Agent): What is it?
Is only found in people who carry the hepatitis B virus. HDV may make a recent (acute) hepatitis B infection or an existing long-term (chronic) hepatitis B liver disease worse. It can even cause symptoms in people who carry hepatitis B virus but who never had symptoms.
Drug-Induced Hepatitis: What is it?
Many different drugs can cause this
Hepatitis A: What is it?
Virus is found mostly in the stools and blood of an infected person about 15-45 days before symptoms occur and during the first week of illness
Hepatitis B: What is it?
Spread through having contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other body fluids of someone with hepatitis B infection
Hepatitis C: What is it?
Has an acute and chronic form. Most people who are infected with the virus develop chronic hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A: Assessment Findings
- Varies in severity from mild to severe
- Abrupt onset with fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, abd discomfort, then jaundice
Hepatitis A: Transmission
Fecal-Oral route from person to person
Hepatitis B: Assessment Findings
Gradual onset with…
1. Anorexia
2. Vague abdominal discomfort
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Rash
5. Then often progresses to jaundice