
Treatment Of Liver Disease
DIAGNOSIS:
Finding the cause and extent of liver damage is important in guiding treatment. Your doctor is likely to start with a health history and thorough physical examination.
Your doctor may then recommend:
- Blood tests . A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions.
- Imaging tests . An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage.
- Checking a tissue sample . Removing a tissue sample (biopsy) from your liver may help diagnose liver disease and look for signs of liver damage. A liver biopsy is most often done using a long needle inserted through the skin to extract a tissue sample that’s sent to a lab for testing.
TREATMENT:
- Treatment for liver disease depends on your diagnosis. Some liver problems can be treated with lifestyle modifications, such as stopping alcohol use or losing weight, typically as part of a medical program that includes careful monitoring of liver function. Other liver problems may be treated with medications or may require surgery.
- Treatment for liver disease that causes or has led to liver failure may ultimately require a liver transplant.