Liver enlargement is a condition in which the liver becomes enlarged due to swelling. The medical term for this condition is hepatomegaly.
There may be a number of causes behind any pain in the liver. Other diseases can also cause pain in the liver and hence proper diagnosis is required. Knowing the causes helps identify the treatments that can relieve pain. In addition, pain in the liver may often be confused with pain in the kidneys or other organs. It may also be confused with mere abdominal pain or back pain.
Enlargement can be among symptoms of other life-threatening diseases like cancer. A number of causes are associated with this enlargement. Some causes are listed as follows:
- Fatty liver
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Glycogen storage disease
- Cirrhosis
- Viral hepatitis
- Liver cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- Poor diet
Enlargement of the liver can be detected by medical tests performed by a physician. Blood tests, CT scan, or a liver biopsy can help diagnose this condition and differentiate a fatty liver from conditions such as cancer. A patient suffering from this enlargement disorder may experience the following symptoms:
- Extreme fatigue
- Confusion
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Vomiting of blood
- Fainting
If the patient is suffering from any of these symptoms of liver enlargement, immediate medical attention is required. These symptoms indicate a serious problem. There may be other symptoms caused due to other diseases that may accompany the symptoms of enlargement. Other symptoms associated with liver enlargement may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin)
- Dizziness
- Pain in the abdomen
- Constant weakness
Is This a Serious Condition?
Since a liver enlargement may be one of the symptoms of serious life-threatening diseases, it can lead to serious complications if not treated at the right time. Severity of the associated symptoms can also cause permanent physical damage. It is essential to follow the treatment plan advised by the doctor to control the symptoms.
An enlargement may not show any signs in some cases, while in others it may be lead to severe pain. Joint pain and rashes may also occur. Pain in this vital organ can be a sign of serious illness. In some cases, the spleen is also enlarged because of a fatty liver or inflammation. Liver enlargement may not be dangerous if detected early, but it may lead to serious problems later if not treated.
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