How to check if your liver is ok. How can you test your liver at home?

How to check the liver if there is a suspicion of serious illness this most important organ? Liver problems may for a long time go unnoticed, since there are no nerve endings in its tissues and the pain syndrome manifests itself already at late stages lesions when the organ increases in size, becomes deformed and begins to put pressure on own shell(Glisson capsule).

Today we’ll talk about how to check the condition of the liver, what tests need to be taken and for which alarming symptoms pay attention to seek medical help in a timely manner.

Characteristic signs of liver problems

The liver is the main filter of our body. This is the largest gland, which plays an important role in the processes of digestion and metabolism, is responsible for cleansing the blood of allergens, toxic and poisonous compounds, and is a kind of “depot” in which reserves of glycogen, vitamins, and microelements necessary to provide the body with energy are deposited. The list of its functions includes the neutralization and removal of excess hormones and vitamins from the body, regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, synthesis of cholesterol, lipids, bilirubin, as well as bile and other hormones and enzymes involved in the digestion process.

IN recent years Doctors are alarmed to note a significant increase in liver-related diseases. Most often, fatty hepatosis, toxic and alcoholic lesions are diagnosed, the development of which is caused by poor nutrition, bad habits, unhealthy image life.

When liver function is impaired, the volume of toxins and other harmful substances in the blood increases and the body literally begins to poison itself. Against the background of intoxication, general health worsens and characteristic complaints appear.

Symptoms

How to check whether the liver is healthy, and what symptoms should alert you and be a reason to see a doctor?

• Yellowness of the skin and sclera. It is observed due to an excess of bilirubin in the blood. This pigment is formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin, then destroyed and excreted from the body by the liver. In large volumes, birirubin is toxic, and if it is not neutralized and accumulates, this is direct evidence that the liver is not coping with its functions.
• Discomfort and feeling of heaviness in the right side. These symptoms become more pronounced after a heavy meal with alcohol, eating fatty, spicy or fried foods. Subsequently, dull ones appear nagging pain, which is a direct sign of liver damage.
• Digestive problems. With liver pathologies, bile production is disrupted, which leads to poor digestion and absorption of food, intestinal irritation, and stool disorders (constipation or diarrhea). At the same time, the color of the feces changes, it becomes discolored and the volume of urine produced.
• Constant bitterness in the mouth, lack of appetite, nausea. White or yellowish coating on the tongue, the appearance of an unpleasant sweetish “liver” odor.
• Unexplained weakness, drowsiness, increased fatigue.
• Irritability, sleep disturbance (insomnia), depression.
• Bleeding gums, the appearance of hematomas and spider veins on the skin.
• Increased abdominal volume. The symptom occurs with severe liver damage, while the patient’s abdomen is swollen, but there is no weight gain. A venous pattern appears on the skin in the navel area.
• Rashes, itchy skin. The skin becomes excessively dry, irritated, constantly flaky and itchy. The itching sensation usually intensifies in the evening, symptoms of dermatitis appear, and allergic reactions occur more often.

If you notice several of the above symptoms, you need to get tested and begin treatment as soon as possible. Which doctor checks the liver, and which specialist should you contact at the initial stage?

First you need to register. He must examine the patient, listen to his complaints and collect the necessary medical history. To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a series of laboratory and instrumental studies. Based on the results diagnostic procedures make a final diagnosis and refer the patient to specialized specialists - a hepatologist (a specialist in liver pathologies), a surgeon, an infectious disease specialist or an oncologist.

What tests do you need to take to check your liver?

The fastest and in a simple way, allowing to detect damage to liver tissue, is biochemical analysis blood. What does this study provide? Blood biochemistry helps to identify several characteristic indicators indicating dysfunction of the most important organ:

• Levels of liver enzymes AST and ALT. Their increase indicates the destruction of hepatocytes and may be a sign of hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer. The higher the indicator, the more damaged the organ.
• Bilirubin. An increase in its level indicates that bilirubin is not excreted from the body, but accumulates in the blood, which leads to obstructive jaundice and may be a sign serious problems with liver.
• Albumen. A protein produced by the liver. With cirrhosis and other damage to liver cells, its level in the blood decreases.
• Alkaline phosphatase. An increase in the level of this enzyme may indicate the development tumor process in the liver.

In addition, they do a blood test for markers of viral hepatitis, and take blood for a general analysis. To check the liver and pancreas, an enzyme activity test is performed, the level of gammaglobulin and bilirubin is determined, and feces, blood and urine are examined.

Diagnostic methods

The optimal time to take tests is in the morning; you need to donate blood on an empty stomach. The day before donating blood for analysis, you must stop drinking alcohol. More accurately see clinical picture A number of instrumental studies will help the disease:

• Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the liver. This is a completely painless and safe procedure that allows you to determine the size of the liver, the presence of a tumor or cyst, and clarify the degree of damage to its tissues. Special training the procedure is not required. However, the day before it is necessary to refrain from eating foods that cause increased gas formation in the intestines.
• Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance tomography (MRI). The most modern and informative research methods that allow you to obtain a multidimensional image of the liver and accurately determine the extent of its damage.
• Liver biopsy. This is very unpleasant and painful procedure, it is prescribed only in severe cases, if there is suspicion of malignant tumor or hepatitis C. It is carried out using a needle, which is inserted into the abdominal cavity to take a biopsy for further research.
• Liver scan (radionuclide). The method is based on the injection of a special contrast agent into a vein, which is carried throughout the body through the bloodstream and penetrates the liver. This allows you to examine the organ using a special scanner and detect the presence of cysts, tumors, determine the size of the diseased organ and the number of affected cells.

How to check the liver for cirrhosis?

How to check liver function if cirrhosis is suspected? The diagnostic methods in this case are largely similar. The patient must donate blood for general, biochemical analysis and markers viral hepatitis,PCR analysis. If necessary, an ultrasound or CT scan of the organ is performed, and a radioisotope research method (scintigraphy) is used.

As additional diagnostic measures fibrogastroduodenoscopy procedures and liver biopsy are prescribed. Another modern one instrumental method research – laparoscopy. It is performed under anesthesia. During the procedure, through a small incision in abdominal cavity an optical tube is inserted, allowing not only to examine the surface of the liver and see pathological changes, but also take a piece of tissue for research.

How to test your liver at home?

Doctors urge you to be more attentive to your own health and periodically (at least once a year) undergo examinations in order to promptly identify dangerous pathologies. How to check a person's liver at home? The appearance should be alarming warning signs listed above. In addition, be sure to pay attention to the condition skin. Damage to the liver may be indicated by red “liver” palms, the appearance overweight, cellulite, skin rashes.

With liver problems, the abdomen noticeably increases in volume, bad smell from the mouth, bleeding gums, the tongue is usually coated. Urination becomes more frequent, urine becomes dark yellow or reddish, and stool becomes discolored. The skin becomes too dry, the hair quickly becomes dirty.

In the morning, bitterness appears in the mouth, there is no appetite, and a feeling of nausea occurs. During the day, one is plagued by weakness, drowsiness, and a loss of strength is felt, and at night a person cannot fall asleep and suffers from insomnia. When these sensations are joined by constant dull pain in the abdominal area (right), heaviness, discomfort after eating, digestive and stool disorders occur, the skin and sclera of the eyes acquire a jaundiced tint - it’s time to sound the alarm and seek medical help as soon as possible.

Check the liver with beets

To make sure that there are problems with the liver, you can do a small test at home. For example, test the liver with beets. This is very easy to do, you just need to eat one boiled beet, preferably in the morning. If the liver is in order, then the urine will turn reddish only after 12-16 hours. If the organ is damaged, you will notice a change in the color of the urine within 3-4 hours.

Liver strips

Another popular method is to use special test– strips for the liver, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. This express method is practically no different from a similar test to determine pregnancy. You just need to dip the strip into a jar of urine and watch the further reaction. If the strip reacts, this will confirm that there are problems with the liver.

This strip is sensitive to two liver enzymes - bilirubin and urobilinogen. If their level is elevated, the test will immediately show this. If the organ is healthy, the bilirubin test should be negative. In cases where the level of urobilinogen differs from the norm, circulatory disorders in the liver or thrombosis are possible hepatic vein. You should definitely inform your doctor about the test results during your consultation.

Thus, at the preliminary stage, you can assess the condition of the liver yourself. In the future, it is necessary to undergo a full examination and begin treatment as soon as possible.

To check your liver, first of all, your doctor will order tests. Pay attention to the following indicators:

• ALT and AST. These are enzymes that are present in the liver in very large quantities. When organ cells are destroyed, the level of these enzymes increases. The higher their test score, the more global the damage to the organ. Typically, ALT and AST increase simultaneously. As a rule, this indicates oncology or hepatitis.
• Bilirubin. This is a component that is included in human bile. Its formation and elimination occurs regularly. If problems occur in the liver, bilirubin begins to accumulate in the blood, and this leads to jaundice. This result may have the most various reasons– from low-risk conditions to serious diseases.
• Prothrombin index. This index is an indicator of blood clotting, but it is often prescribed when examining the liver. It shows the functioning of blood vessels and veins, which plays an important role in the functioning of the organ we are discussing.
• Albumen. This is a protein that is produced by the liver and is found in large quantities in the blood. Indicates organ damage reduced level albumin.
• Alkaline phosphatase. It is an enzyme involved in the release of phosphoric acid. If the phosphatase level increases, this may indicate tumors in the organ.
• Test for antibodies to viral hepatitis antigens. The analysis is quite expensive, but effective because In most cases, hepatitis occurs latently, which is a threat not only to the patient, but also to those around him.
• In addition to tests, a number of additional research. Conduct genetic research, Ultrasound of the liver and biliary tract, biopsy, magnetic resonance therapy, computed tomography etc. Analyzes and survey indicators are evaluated together, because Only an integrated approach to studying the problem will give the most informative results.

Liver prevention includes many measures. First of all, it is based on special nutritional principles. To maintain the health of this vital organ, eliminate or limit your intake of alcoholic beverages as much as possible.

Increase the amount of water you drink, ideally 2 liters per day. Do not resort to starvation diets, do not allow sudden changes in weight. Limit your fat intake; it should be no more than 30% in your diet. Eating fiber – cereals, fruits, vegetables – will be very effective.

Important: liver recovery after alcohol

For prevention various diseases liver use drugs. The main ones:

• Antral - cleanses the liver, normalizes appetite, reduces bilirubin, reduces the effect of toxins on liver cells;
• Karsil - improves the functioning of the liver and gall bladder, normalizes fat metabolism, reduces bilirubin levels, restores damaged cells;
• Berlition – increases glycogen content in the liver, improves organ function, stimulates cholesterol metabolism, normalizes carbohydrate and lipid metabolism;
• Bonjigar – improves liver function, has a positive effect on many processes that occur in it;
• Essentiale Forte – has a positive effect on functional state organ, preserves and restores the structure of hepatocytes, cleanses the liver;
• Maksar – protects cells, normalizes metabolism in them, stimulates cell regeneration;
• Legalon - helps the liver break down lactic acid, binds free radicals, reduces inflammatory processes;
• Heptral - restores the organ, removes toxins, normalizes bilirubin levels and alkaline phosphate activity;
• Gepabene – actively restores the liver, normalizes the outflow of bile, has antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing effects;
• Galstena – has a choleretic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect, prevents the formation of stones in the gallbladder.

Well-known drugs are often used to prevent liver diseases. folk remedies. The most common of them:

Conclusion The liver is an organ without which our existence is impossible. Therefore, it is worth taking care of it in every possible way and being grateful for your work and endurance. Take care of yourself, be attentive to your body, do not overload it and be healthy!

Nowadays, liver diseases are much more common than, for example, 100 years ago. Many factors lead to the pathology of this organ - refined, fat-rich foods, a sedentary lifestyle, taking a lot of pharmaceuticals, sexual freedom, invasive cosmetic procedures and surgical procedures.

Despite the availability of information, quite often there are advanced forms of diseases that are much less treatable and lead to irreversible changes in the organ.

What is it based on? modern diagnostics liver diseases? What steps need to be taken to make an accurate diagnosis?

Any diagnosis begins with identifying symptoms characteristic of a particular disease. The problem is that different liver lesions give the same clinical picture, sometimes very blurred, so it’s enough to just skip initial stage. What symptoms should you pay attention to:

• Discomfort or feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium. Since the liver does not have pain receptors, pain of varying intensity can occur only with significant stretching of the organ capsule.
• Yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes due to the accumulation of bilirubin in them.
• Change in frequency of bowel movements, discoloration of stool.
• Itching of the skin.

Liver disease can cause a variety of problems in others internal organs. This gives rise to many nonspecific symptoms.

The nervous system reacts with insomnia or a change in sleep rhythm, decreased performance, emotional lability, memory impairment, etc.

With the progression of hepatocyte deficiency, symptoms of intoxication may increase: loss of appetite, increased body temperature, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and others. If any of the signs described above appear, you should consult a specialist. You need to monitor your well-being especially carefully during pregnancy.

In order to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment, a certain algorithm is needed - a sequence of studies. The following procedure is usually recommended:

1. general blood test, urine test;
2. biochemical blood test;
3. identification of markers of viral hepatitis;
4. Ultrasound of the liver and abdominal organs;
5. fibrotest;
6. computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging;
7. liver biopsy.

General blood test

This quick and affordable test can show some of the changes that are happening in the body. However, it is not specific for liver lesions. By changing the number of leukocytes, one can judge the severity of the inflammatory process.

A decrease in platelet levels indicates a malfunction of liver cells, which is more typical for viral hepatitis. ESR indicator– erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a nonspecific indicator of changes in the body.

Normal values general analysis blood is individual. They depend on age, gender, and pregnancy. They can be found in the results table in each laboratory.

This study includes more than 40 basic indicators of the internal state of the body. If you have symptoms of liver damage, it is important to pay attention to the following tests: ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, GGTP, bilirubin.

ALT and AST (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) are intracellular enzymes, the maximum amount of which is found in the liver, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscles. They enter the bloodstream when the cell membrane is damaged.

At a rate of up to 41 U/l, ALT can increase significantly with viral, toxic hepatitis, liver cancer, myocardial infarction. AST shows maximum values ​​for lesions cardiovascular system, toxic and chronic hepatitis.

Not only the absolute figure of the indicator is important, but also the ratio of the 2 enzymes.

The predominance of ALT over AST is a sign of hepatocyte destruction.

Alkaline phosphatase is found in all human organs, but the highest concentrations are in the liver, bile ducts, and kidneys. An increase in this enzyme is a characteristic sign of bile duct blockage. During pregnancy, the amount of alkaline phosphatase may exceed the physiological norm.

Intervals normal values GGTP varies depending on the analysis technique.

It is worth remembering that there are no specific enzymes that accurately indicate liver damage; they can exceed the norm under physiological conditions (pregnancy), alcohol abuse, diseases of other organs, and intense physical activity.

All liver tests

General diagnostics

There are many liver pathologies. This and functional disorders, and inflammatory processes. Diseases can affect not only the parenchyma, but also the bile ducts, blood vessels and related systems. What is needed for a liver test?

The advantages of the biochemical method are:

• high efficiency of selection of treatment methods;
• painlessness and safety of the research;
• no negative effects;
• low percentage of results distortion.

• Pain and heaviness in the upper abdomen;
• Nausea, decreased appetite;
• Bitter taste in the mouth;
• Changes in the color of feces and urine, the skin turns yellow;
• Vomiting blood;
• Skin bruising, nosebleeds;
• Insomnia, increased fatigue, weakness;
• Depressive state, increased irritability;
• Weight changes;
• Increased body temperature.

To understand what tests to take to check your liver, it is worth understanding the causes of organ dysfunction. It is worth noting that the liver has a unique ability to regenerate and is highly resistant to external irritants. But, nevertheless, there are certain factors that lead to inflammatory processes. And this, in turn, significantly slows down regeneration. Few of the modern population maintain a balanced healthy eating. But it is food that has a direct effect on the liver. Digestion slows down and increased bile production is required. With such active intensive work, blockage develops bile ducts, bile stagnates and provokes inflammation of the liver.

Unhealthy foods:

• Fatty meats;
• Fatty foods;
• Fried food;
• Smoked meats;
• Large amounts of salt;
• Alcoholic drinks.

Of course, tangible disruptions will not happen instantly. This takes years. But, pathological processes will happen from the first minutes. And very often inflammation and fatty liver are asymptomatic. This explains the complex diagnosis and long course of treatment. Taking many drugs has an extremely negative effect on the liver. medications. This is why it is prohibited self-treatment any diseases.

Only a doctor can prescribe the maximum effective drug, V correct dosage, safe for the liver. Thus, long-term use of antipyretics, painkillers, antibiotics, hormonal drugs. Very often, liver diseases develop against the background of various infectious and viral diseases. In particular, great danger represents the hepatitis virus. It can be transmitted from mother to child through blood transfusions and consumption of poor-quality water and food. In the absence of adequate therapy, any disease leads to a complete cessation of the regeneration process. It is then that the systematic destruction of the gland begins.

After some time, the number of damaged and dead cells exceeds the level of healthy ones. The organ can no longer function fully, and liver failure occurs. Fatty liver, cirrhosis, inflammation, dystrophy are diagnosed. Normal tissue is replaced by connective tissue. Toxins are unable to be neutralized, and contaminated blood spreads throughout the body.

How to check your liver in a medical facility?

To spend full diagnostics liver, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe a series of tests that will show a complete picture of the condition of the organ. And based on the results obtained, it is established accurate diagnosis and treatment is prescribed. To begin with, you should consult a general practitioner, who, if necessary, will refer you to an infectious disease specialist. First, the therapist conducts an examination by palpating the abdominal organs. Typically the lower edge of the liver healthy person covered with ribs. In the case of diseases (obesity, cirrhosis, tumors), the organ protrudes far beyond the ribs and can be felt much lower. Sharpening of the liver and pain may indicate cirrhosis, and thickening may indicate inflammation.

What tests should I take to check my liver?

IN mandatory, to check your liver you need to take a blood test to carry out some functional tests. The liver is directly involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, proteins, and vitamins. All liver functions can be monitored using certain tests. So, to determine the ability to carbohydrate metabolism Doctors prescribe a galactose load test. In case of organ dysfunction, it cannot normalize and restore blood sugar levels. Also, in the presence of pathology, the level of protein in the blood changes.

Electrophoresis helps to study protein fractions in detail. The presence of serious problems with the organ is indicated by extreme low level cholesterol in the blood. Enzyme activity can be detected using a detailed biochemical blood test. An acute inflammatory process is characterized by an increase in iron or copper levels. An important indicator is the degree of bilirubin. A high amount of it in the blood indicates the presence of pathology. To confirm or refute the diagnosis of hepatitis, separate tests are performed. Blood is drawn from a vein.

Ultrasound examination of the liver

An ultrasound of the liver will help determine:

• Organ shape;
• Structure;
• Evenness of edges;
• Size;
• Presence of stones;
• The structure of the gallbladder;
• Duct motility;
• Size portal vein.

Characteristics of the liver of a healthy person: the structure is medium-grained and homogeneous, the lumens of the ducts do not have additional inclusions, there are no changes in blood vessels. In the case of hepatitis, the structure is heterogeneous, the vascular pattern and echogenicity completely changes. Enlargement of the organ, heterogeneity of the structure, expansion of the portal vein indicates cirrhosis. If a patient is diagnosed with inflammation of the bile ducts, the liver becomes thickened, compacted, and a double contour is visible. Also, this method The study helps to reliably identify the presence or absence of a tumor.

Duodenal sounding

Additional methods for checking the liver include MRI and CT. They are usually prescribed if it is difficult to make a diagnosis after an ultrasound and blood test. It is worth noting that these are expensive verification options.

How to test your liver at home?

You can independently identify abnormalities in liver function. Some symptoms will indicate the presence of pathology. So, one of the signs of the disease is pain in the right hypochondrium. Painful sensations may have a constant aching character, or a sharp sharp one. The pain may worsen when eating unhealthy foods. High temperatures help reduce discomfort.
Very sharp pains indicate the formation of gallstones. The pain syndrome is manifested by frequent attacks of compression. Dull, weak pain indicates possible cholecystitis. Violation of the synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins manifests itself in the form of hemorrhages under the skin. The body often reacts to such changes in liver function by increasing body temperature. A person’s appearance also changes.

You can identify deviations yourself if you have the following signs:

• Jaundice;
• Spider veins on the abdomen and palms;
• Bruising;
• Sores in the corners of the mouth;
• Scratching.

Jaundice spreads to the skin and sclera of the eyes. The tongue often turns white. In case chronic form hepatitis often causes swollen lips, an unpleasant odor from oral cavity. Any serious disease of the organ is accompanied by an enlargement of the abdominal cavity. A feeling of bloating and fullness is created in the abdomen. At the same time, appetite disappears, the patient sharply loses weight.

Other signs include a feeling of bitterness in the mouth, darkening of urine, lightening of stool, and itchy skin. If any such changes occur, you should consult a doctor.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of liver diseases among people of working age. Every year, more than one million people around the world fall ill with them, and the pathology is often discovered at a stage when it is not possible to cure it completely.

U modern man There is not always time to visit a doctor and complete a timely examination. That is why everyone needs to know how to check the liver at home quickly, this will allow the disease to be recognized at an early stage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of diseases are not always easy to recognize, even an experienced doctor. And of course, not everyone knows how to recognize liver disease. Liver diseases have a number of characteristic features:

• Decreased appetite.
• Increased fatigue.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Pain in the right hypochondrium.
• Abdominal enlargement.
• Increased bleeding.
• Digestive disorders.
• Poor general health.
• Problems with hormonal levels.

Pain and bruising

The gland itself does not have pain receptors, so pain occurs due to tension in its capsule when the organ increases in size or inflammation spreads to its fibrous membrane. The pain is localized in the right hypochondrium, but in some cases it can be diffuse.

The character can be varied - from a feeling of discomfort to sudden attacks of pain. The increase can be determined by palpation of the abdomen. Due to its increased size, its lower edge will extend beyond the right costal arch, which will be noticeable upon palpation.

Most often this occurs with cirrhosis or acute infectious diseases when other symptoms prevail over the pain syndrome.

Bruising occurs due to inhibition of the functions of hepatocytes, as a result of which the hemostasis process is disrupted and the walls of blood vessels are weakened. Bruises and hematomas occur even with the slightest injury, slight pressure and during sleep. It becomes difficult to stop bleeding even with a small cut. Wounds and scratches do not heal for a long time and periodically bleed.

Visual cues

One of the most characteristic signs of pathology of this body is a change in skin color and turgor. Due to the fact that fat metabolism is disrupted, the skin becomes dry, flabby, various peelings appear, and there is a tendency to allergic rashes such as dermatitis and eczema.

In addition, spider veins and areas of hyperpigmentation are observed on the body. Appearance men acquire feminine characteristics - fat is deposited on the hips, arms become thinner, mammary glands enlarge, and hair loss occurs.

How to test your liver at home

Not everyone knows how to properly check the liver at home. Many people believe that the function of this organ can only be studied in a hospital.

However, carrying out simple procedures at home can be quite informative in order to suspect this disease in the human body.

To check the health of the liver, it is necessary to examine the skin. You need to visually examine your skin, evaluate its color, elasticity, moisture, and the presence of allergic foci.

The examination should begin with the face, then go down. On the face, be sure to pay attention to the appearance of brown spots, deep wrinkles between the eyebrows, swelling, dark circles under the eyes. On upper limbs it is necessary to pay attention to axillary area– is there any darkening of the skin or thinning of the hairline?

Liver function at home can be checked by the presence of darkening of the skin, which is most often localized on the elbows, knees and back of the hands. Incorrect organ function is indicated by bright red spots on the palms of the hands.

The fact that the liver is sick can be indicated at home by the severity of the venous network in the abdomen. If the gland is unhealthy, then the veins are very pronounced and bulge above the surface of the skin. Another sign of the disease is an increase in abdominal volume over a relatively short term, a feeling of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which will also be noticeable upon palpation.

Hepatic purpura may have different kind and localization - from the smallest multiple pale pink spots to massive bright red lesions. Most often localized on the lower extremities.

Tests at home

How can you tell if your liver is healthy using a test?

Special test strips will help you check the condition of your liver at home. Their principle of operation is similar to a pregnancy test. In this test, the strip must be placed in a container with urine for a certain time.

The strip contains special substances that react to increased levels of certain pigments in the urine (bilirubin, urobilinogen). When interacting with them, the strip changes its color.

If the level of these elements is normal, then no reaction occurs. This is a very simple and affordable way to find out at home whether your liver is healthy.

Palpation

Palpation of the gland allows you to determine its size, density and structure. Normally, the lower edge of the organ does not extend beyond the costal arch. It should be sharp or slightly rounded, soft, painless and fairly mobile.

The structure of a healthy organ is even, smooth, without compactions.

• If upon palpation there is pain in combination with a rounded edge, then this is a sign of an inflammatory process. This often occurs with viral hepatitis.
• A lumpy, dense, uneven edge indicates echinococcosis or syphilis. tubercles in in this case are echinococcal blisters or syphilitic chancre.
• A very dense structure of the gland is observed with cancerous damage to the organ.
• A firm margin combined with lumpiness indicates cirrhosis. In this case, the tuberosity is formed due to fibrous degeneration and disruption of the lobular structure of the gland.

Who treats and what tests need to be taken

Many people do not know which specialist to contact if they suspect a pathology of this organ. If you have complaints and symptoms, you should contact a therapist who will prescribe basic tests and instrumental studies.

This pathology is treated by a gastroenterologist or hepatologist. If the disease has an infectious etiology, then the patient is treated by an infectious disease specialist. If cancer is diagnosed, the oncologist takes over the treatment. Depending on the nature of the disease, its course and complications, consultation with other specialists may be required.

The required minimum of tests and studies to assess the functioning of the gland are:

• Complete blood count - anemia can often be observed,
• General and biochemical urine analysis - albumin, bilirubin, urobilinogen,
• Biochemical screening:
  • AST and ALT are an indicator of liver cell death. The more this indicator exceeds the norm, the more hepatocytes are destroyed,
  • Bilirubin is a component of bile, which, in case of organ pathology, enters the bloodstream as a result of the destruction of hepatocytes, which gives the skin a yellow color,
  • Prothrombin index is an indicator of blood clotting, which decreases in liver failure,
  • Proteinogram – to assess blood protein levels,
• Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) - allows you to evaluate the structure and size of the organ and the presence of any pathological formations (cysts, tumors) in it,

If a more detailed diagnosis is necessary, the doctor may prescribe additional studies:

• Biopsy - allows you to identify abnormalities at the cellular level of the lesion. Rarely used due to the risk of complications.
• MRI is the safest and most painless procedure that allows you to study the structure of an organ in detail.

One of essential functions The liver is responsible for the neutralization and detoxification of harmful substances. However, with regular exposure to the liver, its functions are weakened. How to check if your liver is healthy? Liver dysfunction can also occur through past illnesses, obesity, poisoning and autoimmune processes. Treatment of the liver is complex and requires a special diet, but avoid severe consequences You can follow some recommendations in advance.

How to determine if the liver is healthy? Without a special examination, it is impossible to determine for sure whether your liver is healthy. But it is very possible to keep the liver active and strong. To do this, follow the following recommendations.

How to make your liver healthy

Avoid stagnation of bile - divide meals into four to five times in small portions. Avoid eating foods harmful to the liver. Consult a doctor when the first symptoms of any disease appear; do not self-medicate to avoid liver damage. medicines Consume foods that help remove toxins from the liver and the body as a whole.

How to keep your liver healthy?

It is worth paying attention to dishes from natural products: vegetables, fruits, berries, cereals.

Products that help remove toxins from the liver include: garlic, parsley, dill, basil, spinach, lettuce, white cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, avocado, peeled apples, grapefruits, dried fruits, green tea, mineral waters, fresh juices.

In addition to the listed products, the following are useful: carrots and beets, cucumbers, zucchini, pure unrefined and non-deodorized butter, lime and lemon, honey, whole grains of cereals and nuts, artichoke and asparagus, lean fish, low-fat cheese, turkey, rabbit. Turmeric is a very useful seasoning because it stimulates the production and flow of bile.

Harmful products:

Harmful to the liver are foods high in fat (lard, butter, pork, lamb, goose, duck), broths made from meat and mushrooms, and eggs in large quantities. Baking, sweets, and chocolate overload the liver.

Very harmful to human body are strong alcoholic drinks, which the liver perceives as poison and spends energy on detoxification. Low-alcohol dark beer and dry red wine can be used in small quantities.

To avoid liver problems, it is advisable for coffee lovers to drink coffee half and half with milk.

To maintain liver health, do not take medications unless prescribed by a doctor, as many are hepatotoxic.

It is important to remember that when fried, foods lose their valuable properties, so it is better to consume boiled or baked foods. By following these recommendations and avoiding harmful products You can create your own menu that will help keep your liver healthy. And remember that everything is good in moderation, overeating is harmful, even if it is healthy foods.

Liver- This is the main filtering organ that does not allow harmful substances to poison the body. Bad ecology, reception medicines, alcohol, fatty foods, disrupts liver function. Symptoms appear that indicate it is time to see a doctor, undergo medical examination and seriously begin to treat the organ.

When liver function is disrupted, a number of complaints appear. First of all there is

in the mouth, a thick layer of plaque may appear on

which happens different shades, bad breath.

You may also feel lethargy, weakness, nausea in the morning and throughout the day, which indicates poisoning of the body with unprocessed waste and toxins due to stagnation of bile. Digestive disorders, heaviness in the gastrointestinal tract, constipation, headaches, heaviness in the right hypochondrium may appear.

Since there are no nerves in the liver

endings

You can learn about the disease only by general subjective complaints. The organ itself is not

all organs that depend on the normal functioning of the liver.

liver function

significantly reduces immune protection body, since all harmful substances cause general poisoning, and the body experiences constant overload from the presence of intoxication, and you are worried

colds

and viral infections.

If you feel

in the stomach

a burning sensation that often torments you

This may also indicate

liver disease

Since stagnant bile can be released into gastrointestinal tract, which is very dangerous due to the possibility of an ulcer, not to mention constant discomfort and unpleasant sensations.

Depending on the results of the examination, treatment will be prescribed. If there are stones in the gallbladder, they may surgical treatment. At inflammatory processes will appoint

antibiotics

Relieving inflammation, hepatoprotectors, choleretic fees, dietary food, re-examination.

The liver is the largest and very important digestive gland. Its weight is about 1.5 kg. The liver is involved in metabolic processes and in the accumulation of various substances in the body. It promotes the production of bile, synthesizes proteins and vitamins, and also converts toxins into safe substances.

Liver diseases are characterized by dull aching pain or a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium. These pains are constant throughout the day and intensify when physical activity, driving, eating fats, fried or spicy foods and calm down in a state of rest.

Similar pains are transmitted to the right shoulder blade, back, and can be felt in right side neck. They are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, belching, heartburn, flatulence, bloating and

bitterness in the mouth

Liver diseases may be characterized by muscle weakness, fatigue, lethargy, irritability, decreased performance, fat intolerance and loss of appetite.

Headaches and even a tendency to faint are often present. Sometimes small hemorrhages are visible on the skin. U

menstrual irregularities may occur,

in a man

have problems with

potency

During liver disease, sometimes you may see yellow

skin. At the same time, dark-colored urine and discoloration of feces are noted. Against the background of jaundice, especially long-term, skin itching develops, which indicates an increase in the amount of bile components in the blood.

The hardest diffuse disease liver is cirrhosis of the liver. Among external symptoms illnesses can be noted: malaise, poor sleep, weakness. Jaundice, itching and hemorrhages on the skin appear periodically. Sick man

due to impaired digestion and absorption.

Very often on the skin you can observe the expansion of small blood vessels. The skin of the palms turns red, and in men the mammary glands become enlarged. Liver cirrhosis is characterized by pain in the right hypochondrium, enlargement and bloating.

Useful advice

Often, many liver diseases occur with mild clinical symptoms, however, the complication itself can pose a huge threat to human health and even life. Therefore, if you suspect liver disease or to prevent its development, consult a doctor and, if necessary, undergo ultrasound examination, computed tomography or laparoscopy.

Some diseases are generally asymptomatic (hepatic steatosis, hemangioma) and are detected only by ultrasound by an increase in the size of the liver.

how to check liver function

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How to find out if your liver hurts