e-Clinic

What is an Enlarged Liver? The clinical medical term for an enlarged liver is Hepatomegaly . It means that the liver has swollen to a size larger than normal. An enlarged liver is not a disease in and of itself; rather, it is a significant physical warning sign of an underlying medical problem, such as chronic liver disease, congestive heart failure, or certain types of cancer. The liver is a large, football-shaped organ located in the upper right portion of your abdomen, tucked mostly beneath your rib cage. Because it is essential for filtering toxins and digesting fats, treatment must focus on identifying and controlling whatever is causing the swelling. Symptoms In mild cases, an enlarged liver may not cause any noticeable symptoms at all. However, as the swelling increases or the underlying liver disease progresses, you may experience: A feeling of fullness, heaviness, or dull aching pain in the upper right side...

What is Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C (HCV) is a viral infection that attacks the liver, leading to significant inflammation and potential organ failure. It is considered one of the most serious of the hepatitis viruses. The Silent Infection: The majority of people infected with HCV have absolutely no symptoms. They often do not know they are carrying the virus until severe liver damage shows up decades later during routine medical blood tests. The virus is strictly bloodborne, meaning it is passed through direct contact with contaminated blood—most commonly through needles shared during illegal intravenous drug use. Symptoms HCV usually produces no visible clinical signs during its earliest stages (the Acute phase). When symptoms do eventually occur as the infection becomes chronic, they are often mild, flu-like, and easily dismissed: Chronic, unexplained fatigue. Low-grade fever. Nausea or a suddenly poor...

What is Hepatitis B? Hepatitis B (HBV) is a highly contagious, potentially serious viral infection that specifically attacks the liver. It can manifest as a mild, short-term illness (Acute) or progress into a devastating, lifelong disease (Chronic). The Good News: A safe and highly effective vaccine is available to prevent the disease entirely. Furthermore, most healthy adults who contract the virus recover fully and clear the infection, even if their initial symptoms are severe. For some, however—particularly those infected at birth or in early childhood—the infection becomes chronic. Chronic Hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver failure, liver cancer, and cirrhosis (permanent, irreversible scarring of the liver tissue). Symptoms Clinical signs usually appear about 90 days (3 months) after the initial exposure to the virus, though they can appear anytime between 60 and 150 days. Symptoms can range from barely noticeable t...

What is Hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). Unlike Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, it is typically an acute, short-term infection and does not cause long-term chronic liver damage. It is most frequently spread through the consumption of contaminated food or water, or through close physical contact with an infected person. Fortunately, most people who contract the virus recover completely with no permanent liver damage. Symptoms Symptoms typically appear 2 to 4 weeks after initial exposure to the virus and can last anywhere from a few weeks to up to 6 months. Clinical signs include: Extreme, sudden fatigue and weakness. Sudden nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Abdominal pain and discomfort (especially localized on the right side beneath your lower ribs, near the liver). Jaundice: A distinct yellowing of the skin and the whites of ...