Liver and Learn: Symptoms of Enlarged Liver and How the Condition Is Treated

The liver is the organ that is responsible for filtering alcohol and drugs out of your blood, and it also helps to store fat and produce bile for the digestive system. Therefore, experiencing symptoms of enlarged liver, known as hepatomegaly, is not a good sign. It can mean that there is something wrong with this important organ, which can certainly impede your health. Keep reading to learn about enlarged liver symptoms that you can watch out for, and find out which treatments your doctor may recommend for this condition. Common symptoms of enlarged liver You may not notice that your liver is enlarged on your own, but this is something that your doctor can tell when palpating your abdomen during a physical. However, there are several other changes that you may notice in your body if this condition is present. You may have a fever, feel very exhausted, feel nauseous after eating fatty meals or even suffer from confusion. Jaundice is the most noticeable and obvious sign of liver failure. This occurs when your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow because bile is building up in your system. If you see indications of jaundice, you should seek medical treatment immediately. Other symptoms to watch for include bloody or black stool, bleeding gums, itchy skin, joint pain, redness of the hands and diarrhea. Causes and treatments for enlarged liver symptoms Treatment for your symptoms of enlarged liver depends on the cause(s) of the swelling. In some cases, the enlargement is simply due to a recent increase in your use of alcohol or the introduction of a new medication. If this is the case, stopping the use of alcohol or the drug generally relieves the problem. If the cause is a fatty liver brought on by obesity, your doctor may recommend that you start a weight loss diet and increase your activity level. If you are a diabetic and your enlarged liver is due to mismanaged blood sugar, you may have to change your insulin delivery methods or adjust your treatments. An enlarged liver can also result from viral infections such as hepatitis or mononucleosis, malaria, cancerous tumors, abscesses, long-term alcoholism, congestive heart failure and many other disorders. Because so many of the conditions that can cause your liver to swell are life-threatening, it is essential that you receive prompt medical attention for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Having an enlarged liver is no walk in the park. Over time, if ignored, hepatomegaly can have severe consequences for your overall health. If you do recognize these symptoms in your own body, contact your doctor. He or she can recommend the best treatment depending on the causes of your liver swelling and your individual health.