Liver disease

Question 1

What are the 8 roles of the liver

Answer 1

glycogen, iron, vit storage 
protein synthesis 
detox
RBC destruction 
cholesterol & hormone synthesis
bile production 
met of carbs,fats & proteins

Question 2

What is hepatitis and how is it caused?

Answer 2

inflammation of liver

by alcohol and viruses

Question 3

What are the 3 stages of alcohol damage to the liver?

Answer 3

alcoholic fatty liver diseases - FA build up, reversible
alcoholic hepatitis
cirrhosis - scarring loss of function, irreversible

Question 4

How and what happens with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Answer 4

high BMI - FAs in liver

lead to steatohepatitis then cirrhosis

Question 5

Why should baseline Liver tests be taken?

Answer 5

measure drug toxicity in liver

Question 6

What are the symptoms of cirrhosis?

Answer 6

pain around liver
jaundice 
itchy skin 
tiredness 
nausea 
oedema in legs & ankles
Ascites

Question 7

What is Cholestasis and what is it caused by?

Answer 7

impaired flow of bile to duodenum
causes: blockage of bile duct
disturbances in bile production

Question 8

What is encephalopathy? What are the symptoms

Answer 8

build up of toxins not cleared by liver affects neuropathic signals
confusion,drowsiness, disorientation
personality changes

Question 9

What is Wernicke’s encephalopathy and symptoms?

Answer 9

lack of thiamine & high alcohol intake

acute confusion, psychosis, ataxia, oculomotor dysfunction