Liver disease Flashcards
what are the key points to remember with regards to liver disease?
impaired wound healing
impaired clotting
risk of blood born viruses
what are the key points to remember with regards to liver disease?
impaired wound healing
impaired clotting
risk of blood born viruses
what are the main functions of the liver?
protein metabolism carbohydrate metabolism bile acid metabolism billirubin metabolism hormone and drug metabolism immunilogical defense
what is jaundice?
clinically apparent hyper billirubinaemia
what is the normal range of billirububin?
when is billirubin clinically detected?
> 40
what are the main features of cirrhosis?
encephalopathy- abnormal brain function spider navi- rash like gyaenacomsatia- enlargement of a man's breasts tremor ascites- fluid causing abdominal swelling testicular atrophy jaundice heptic coma
what are clinical features of jaunice?
pale stools dark urine itch lethargy and malaise anorexia
what are the causes of jaundice?
increased production of billirubin
what are congenital causes of jaundice?
glberts
dubin johnson
rotor syndrome
what can intra hepatic jaundice be caused by?
viral hepatitis drugs alcohol hepatitis cirrhosis pregnancy
what can extra hepatic jaundice be caused by?
gall stones carcinoma pancreatitis biliary structure sclerosing cholangitis
what liver function tests can be carried out?
ALT/AST
alkaline phodphatase ALP
GGT
What true liver function tests can be carried out?
bilirubin
albumin
prothrombin time
How is hepatitis A spread?
faecal- oral spread
poor hygiene and over crowding
food and water contamination
what should be taken into consideration clinically re. hep A?
no carrier state- acute hepatitis
peak incidence in older children/young adults
how could hep A be controlled?
hygiene
vaccine for pre exposure prophylaxis
food handlers
How can Hep A be managed?
rest
low fat diet
avoidance of alcohol
