Liver Enlargement: Symptoms And Proper Diet
Liver enlargement is a fairly common problem. In the medical field, it is also known as hepatomegaly, where the liver suddenly grows twice as large as normal.
It can cause a lot of pain and should be treated individually after consultation with your doctor. But what are the most common symptoms that are linked to liver enlargement? And what diet should you follow to complement your doctor’s recommendations? Learn more in this article.
Symptoms of liver enlargement
Do you know how to find your liver? It’s easy: the lower edge of the liver is located just below your ribs on the right side of your body.
If your liver is functioning normally and has a normal size, you will most likely not be able to feel it if you press your fingers under your lower rib (unless, for example, you take a deep breath). Usually, a liver scan will be able to inform your doctor about whether your liver is enlarged or not . If it is, you will soon begin to notice its presence.
But what then outside the medical clinic? What symptoms will you be able to feel in your everyday life? Most liver problems start with being asymptomatic, so you will most likely not notice it until after some time. Gradually, however, the following symptoms will become more and more pronounced as the liver enlarges:
1. Pain
Pain from an enlarged liver is usually weak and persistent. However, the pain grows little by little and will become more intense over time. You will begin to feel it in your right side, so always remember to keep an eye on the upper right part of your stomach.
The pain can also go down into the lower back, though still only in the right side. You may feel an intense tiredness that does not go away, and if you try to take painkillers, the relief will only be temporary.
2. Nausea and malaise
Maybe you lose your appetite. Foods high in fat and salted meat are both difficult to digest. You will notice that you get more tired after eating, which is often accompanied by dizziness and nausea.
Doctors often indicate that you mostly feel tired and a general feeling of being sick in the morning. Keep in mind that your liver, like the rest of your lymphatic system, cleanses at night, which is essential for your body.
An enlarged liver can not perform the necessary functions of cleansing and therefore your mornings may be the most difficult time of the day for you.
3. Fever
If you constantly have a slight fever, you should have a warning light on. Mild fever is a sign that you have an infection, a change in your body that needs to be seen by a doctor. Remember that fever is the body’s natural response to any foreign invasion.
Seek help from your doctor to find out what is causing your liver to be enlarged.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition that gives the skin and eyes a yellowish color. It is one of the most sinful signs of liver problems or a change in the normal functioning of the liver.
So where does the yellow color come from? Bilirubin, commonly known as the bile pigment, is a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is normally filtered in the liver and jaundice is therefore a clear signal that the liver is not functioning normally. The substances that should be removed from the body are thus stored instead of being excreted.
5. Abnormal stools
It is always good to pay attention to the color of your urine and your stools as it can say a lot about your health and any diseases.
If you suddenly notice that your stools have a lighter color than usual, you should consider contacting your doctor. This can happen due to a disease that only doctors can diagnose. It could be a virus or something like hepatitis, which could be the cause of hepatitis. However, these are only a few options, so you should always consult your doctor or hospital.
Diet for the treatment of a liver enlargement
- A tablespoon of olive oil with a little lemon juice in the morning is a great way to help your liver heal. This mixture acts as a cleansing tonic, which protects and the liver and gives it new energy. Doing this every day will help reduce inflammation in the liver.
- Artichoke water and lemon juice are another super good daily treatment for the liver. Boil two artichokes, take the artichokes out of the pan and strain if necessary. the water. Then add lemon juice to the artichoke water. This should give you enough for three or four cups that you can drink during the day.
- Beetroot salad with grated carrot. This gives your body a delicious and natural cocktail of vitamins and minerals which are fantastic in the treatment of liver enlargement.
- And too for days. Want to know which herbs are best against an enlarged liver? Milk thistle and dandelion. You can drink two cups of tea brewed on this mixture every day, for breakfast and after lunch. Drink the tea slowly and use if necessary. a natural sweetener such as honey if you prefer it a little sweet. Milk thistle can be found in health food stores, both as a dried herb and in pill form. It is always a good option to treat an inflamed liver.