Because the capsule surrounding the organ has pain receptors, the liver can be damaged in the presence of a tumor or due to inflammation. Maria Dyuzheva, a gastroenterologist at the SberHealth medical online service, told socialbites.ca about this.
“There are no pain receptors in the liver tissue itself, but they are in the capsule surrounding the liver. If significant edema occurs due to inflammation or in the presence of a volumetric formation, the capsule may stretch and pain may occur, ”said Dyuzheva.
The doctor noted that some liver diseases do not appear for a long time. In other words, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis and other diseases can manifest themselves in quite late stages when a significant part of the liver tissue is damaged, fibrosis and cirrhosis occur.
“But there are diseases with vivid symptoms. If you have jaundice, it is possible to suspect a problem with the liver – yellow staining of the skin, mucous membranes, dark urine or discolored stools, itching of the skin, swelling, spontaneous bleeding and formation of hematomas,” the doctor listed.
In order not to miss a serious liver disease, it is worth having tests for viral hepatitis B and C regularly.
“As for other blood tests, there are no clear recommendations for how often these should be taken. But if there are doubts about health or there are risk factors for liver damage, for example, aggravated heredity for liver pathology, being overweight, drinking alcohol, taking medications, then it makes sense to undergo an examination once a year or more often. recommendations for a doctor’s examination “, – explained Dyuzheva.