Amyloidosis of the liver

The liver is a vital organ that is constantly exposed to negative effects. Among the many pathologies that can lead to organ dysfunction, one of the most dangerous is amyloidosis of the liver.

The disease occurs against the background of a violation of protein metabolism. The consequence of the progression of the disease without treatment is a lethal outcome within five years.

The provoking factors

The causes of amyloidosis of the liver, as a rule, arise under the influence of factors provoking the development of pathological disorders in protein metabolism.

In most cases, the disease is detected after a prolonged course of a number of diseases:

• infections of a chronic type (tuberculosis, pneumonia, etc.);
• purulent processes in tissues;
• damage to the bone marrow;
• leukemia;
• ulcerative colitis;
• articular pathologies;
• chronic inflammatory processes.

Characteristic features

At the initial stage of development, amyloidosis of the liver can not express obvious symptoms. However, the more the liver is affected, and because of the disruption of its work, other organs and systems, the more intensely the symptoms of amyloidosis appear.

Dryness of the hands - one of the signs of pathology

The clinical picture is:

• increased liver size;
• the skin changes (the color is pale, the surface is dry, itching occurs, cracks and rashes are formed);
• the volume of the language increases severalfold;
• Gastrointestinal function is disrupted (permanent constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, etc.);
• the appearance of a feeling of heaviness in the area of ​​the location of the affected organ;
• constant fatigue;
• loss of significant body weight;
• instability of body temperature.

Depending on the nature of the origin of the disease, the disease can develop for several years or rapidly hit the entire body. The most severe form of the disease is considered to be changes that occur against the background of a purulent-inflammatory process.

Diagnostic methods

It is impossible to determine amyloidosis without going through medical examination. The diagnosis is established based on the results of laboratory tests and hardware diagnostics.

Laboratory research:

• blood test (general and biochemistry);
• Analysis of urine;
• samples of hepatic tissue.

Hardware diagnostics:

• ultrasound;
• tomography (magnetic resonance and computer);
• puncture.

How is amyloidosis treated?

The prognosis and methods of treatment of amyloidosis of the liver depend on the stage at which the pathology was detected. Also, the causes of the disease play a significant role. With a properly selected method of treatment and identifying a provoking factor from amyloidosis, you can get rid of completely.

Medication Therapy

Obligatory stage of treatment of the disease is drug therapy. The attending physician prescribes the medication to the patient and determines the individual scheme of their administration.

The scheme of treatment is selected by a qualified specialist

To stabilize protein metabolism, use groups of drugs:

• cytostatics (cyclophosphamide or methotrexate);
• aminoquinolines (Rezokhin, Delagil or Plakvenil);
• hydrolysates (Unithiol, Ripazone or Colchicine).

To eliminate symptoms prescribed medication:

• antihistamine group (Tavegil, Lomilan, etc.);
• detoxification (Ringer or Reosorbilakt);
• hepatoprotectors (Ursohol or Gepabene);
• enterosorbents (Enterosgel or Polysorb).

It is also possible to use chemotherapy. In severe cases, specialists can decide to perform a stem cell transplant operation. In the most exceptional cases, donor liver transplantation is used.

The use of folk remedies

In addition to drug therapy and in the absence of contraindications, one can use folk remedies.

1. Herbal collection. Infusion is prepared from St. John's wort, immortelle, chamomile and birch buds (in equal quantities). Proportion: 0.1 gram of herb per 0.5 liters of boiling water. The liquid is infused for eight hours (preferably in a thermos bottle). Use a glass once a day on an empty stomach.
2. Sheet collection. Mint leaves (2 g), strawberries (10 g) and St. John's wort (10 g) are steamed with a glass of boiling water. After ten minutes, merge and drink half. The second half of the glass is drunk before bedtime.

Take infusions can be only after permission of the doctor. It should be remembered that the liver reacts to any substances entering the body.

Diet Features

Proper nutrition is of particular importance for restoring the liver condition in amyloidosis. The diet should be observed by the patient necessarily.

A gastroenterologist, a hepatologist or a nutritionist is engaged in a nutrition correction

Recommended:

• cereals;
• vegetables;
• meat (lean, except pork and lamb);
• fruit;
• fermented milk products.

Exclude:

• smoked products;
• preservatives;
• semi-finished products;
• fried;
• salty;
• sharp.

The food should be fractional (at least five times a day). Copious drinking is not recommended. It is useful to replace tea and coffee with compotes and fruit drinks. Alcohol intake is unacceptable.

Complications and prevention

In the absence of treatment, amyloidosis of the liver can lead to complications in the form of hepatic encephalopathy, insufficiency or coma. A long-term disease is fatal.

Reduce the risk of developing amyloidosis of the liver can be, paying attention to lifestyle (bad habits, proper nutrition, etc.) and dealing with diseases that can affect the functionality of the liver.

If there is a predisposition to the development of amyloidosis of the liver, it is necessary to regularly undergo preventive diagnostics for the timely detection of the pathological process and the elimination of complications.