Liver Flashcards
Where is the liver?
Upper right, beneath diaphragm and above stomach
Size of a football
What are the functions of the liver?
All blood leaving stomach & intestines passed through the liver
Processes blood & breaks down, balances & creates nutrients in form more user friendly to rest of body
Bile production & excretion
Excretes hormones, cholesterol, drugs
Metabolises fats, proteins & carbs
Stores glycogen, vitamins & minerals
Blood detoxification
Blood supply to the liver
Hepatic artery
Hepatic portal vein - deoxygenated blood containing nutrients from small intenstine
Common liver conditions
Alcohol related liver disease Non alcoholic fatty liver disease Hepatitis Haemochromatosis Primary biliary cirrhosis
Liver - causes of ARLD
Damage caused by cell destruction from excess alcohol
Causes of non alcoholic fatty liver disease
Build up of fat in the liver - usually in fat cunts
Early stages can be harmless
Can lead to cirrhosis; diabetes & portal hypertension
Causes of hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by viral infection or liver damage from excess alcohol
Some cases pass and others are more serious and can cause scarring (cirrhosis), loss of function & cancer
What is haemochromatosis
Inherited condition where iron builds up over time
Damages liver, joints, heart & pancreas
More common in Celtic regions & white northern Europeans
Causes of primary biliary cirrhosis
Usually found during blood test for something else
Once diagnoses you need an ultrasound to assess damage
Immune system mistakenly attacks bile ducts
Not sure why but then bile builds up in the liver
Signs & symptoms of PBC
Bone & joint aches Fatigue Itchy skin (worse at night, when warm, or when pregnant) Dry eyes & mouth Upper right sided abdo pain Postural hypotension Jaundice Oedema Ascites (fluid in abdomen) Small fatty deposits on skin, usually around eyes Dark urine & pale stool Bleed & bruise more easily Problems with memory and concentration
Signs & symptoms of haemochromatosis
30 - 60 Fatigue Weight loss Weakness Joint pain Erectile dysfunction Irregular or absent periods
Signs & symptoms of hepatitis
Muscle & joint pain Fever Nausea & vomitting Fatigue General sense of feeling unwell Abdo pain Dark urine Pale or grey shit Itchy skin Jaundice
Signs & symptoms of non alcoholic fatty liver disease
Dull, aching abdo pain over bottom of right side of ribs
Extreme fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Weakness
Signs & symptoms of ARLD
None til liver severely damaged Nausea Weight loss & loss of appetite Jaundice Swelling in ankles & tummy Confusion or drowsiness Melena or hemetemesis
Hepatitis ABCDE, alcoholic & autoimmune
A - viral from food or drink contaminated with infected person poo
B - blood to blood; can cause cirrhosis & cancer
C - most common type in UK; 3/4 may become chronic which can lead to cirrhosis & liver failure
D - needs B to survive in the body; blood to blood or sexual contact
E - raw or undercooked pork meat or offal
Alc - can cause sudden jaundice or liver failure
AI - immune system attacks the liver
