Treatments for Liver conditions
Treatments for Liver conditions
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources
for Liver conditions
includes the following list.
Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment
or change in treatment plans.
- Vitamin B3 - possibly used for related vitamin B3 deficiency
- Vitamin A - to prevent vitamin A deficiency
- Vitamin D - possibly used for treatment of vitamin D deficiency
- Vitamin K - possibly used for related vitamin K deficiency
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Drugs and Medications used to treat Liver conditions:
Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment
or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Liver conditions include:
Hospital statistics for Liver conditions:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Liver conditions:
- 0.26% (32,971) of hospital episodes were for liver diseases in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 66% of hospital consultations for liver diseases required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 60% of hospital episodes for liver diseases were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 40% of hospital episodes for liver diseases were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 62% of hospital admissions for liver diseases required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- more hospital information...»
Medical news summaries about treatments for Liver conditions:
The following medical news items
are relevant to treatment of Liver conditions:
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Book Excerpts: Treatment of Liver conditions
Treatments of Liver conditions: Online Medical Books
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for more information about the treatments of Liver conditions.
Hepatomegaly:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Heart failure: Diuretics, inotropes, and afterload reduction
-
Viral hepatitis: Supportive care and antivirals in some chronic cases
-
Alcoholic liver disease: Abstinence from alcohol, steroids in severe cases, and possible transplant
-
Fatty liver: Treat underlying obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia
-
Sarcoidosis: Steroids
-
Hemochromatosis: Iron removal by weekly phlebotomy for 2–3 years and/or deferoxamine chelation
-
Wilson's disease: Copper chelation with D-penicillamine or trientine; may require liver transplantation
-
Neoplasms: Resection and chemotherapy
-
Abscess or cyst: Antimicrobials, percutaneous drainage, and/or surgical resection
-
Amyloidosis: Prednisone and alkylating agents
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Jaundice:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Discontinue and avoid potentially hepatotoxic medications
-
Supportive care for viral hepatitis
-
Rehydrate/refeed for Gilbert's syndrome
-
Consider steroids in fulminant alcoholic hepatitis
-
Cholecystectomy or ERCP with stone removal for obstructing gallstones
-
Treat underlying causes of hemolysis or other disorders
-
Antibiotics for cholangitis, sepsis
-
Hydroxyurea and folate for sickle cell disease, prevent crises by adequate hydration, vaccinating against diseases, and try to prevent other infections
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Hepatomegaly:
Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
-
Geared towards specific disease
-
Cholestasis
–Ursodeoxycholic acid
–Supplemental fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
-
Infections
–Consider interferon for hepatitis B
–Consider interferon and ribaviron for hepatitis C
-
Toxins
–Use of NTBC for tyrosinemia
-
Metabolic disease
–Metabolism consultation
–Often requires specific restricted formulas
-
Surgical repair for biliary atresia
–Kasai portoenterostomy has better outcome if done before 60 days of age
-
Mucomyst for acute acetaminophen toxicity
-
Immune suppression for autoimmune hepatitis
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Jaundice in Infants – Direct:
Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
-
Varies by specific disorder
-
General medication principles of cholestasis include
–Promoting bile flow with ursodeoxycholic acid
–Consider phenobarbital (increases bile excretion)
–Fat-soluble vitamins including K, D, E
–Vitamin A is a relative contraindication given hepatotoxicity at high levels
Consider formula with medium chain triglycerides as fat source (does not require bile acids to be absorbed)
Treat underlying disorder
–Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia
–Surgical repair of choledochal cyst
–Special formulas for tyrosinemia
–Lactose free formula for galactosemia (e.g., soy based)
–Remove toxic exposures
–Treat infections
–Treat hypothyroidism
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Jaundice in Infants – Indirect:
Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
-
Treatment options vary based on level of bilirubin, age of presentation, and cause
–Goal is prevent levels high enough to cause kernicterus
-
Phototherapy involves the use of photon energy to change the structure of bilirubin and permit excretion without glucuronidation
–Decisions for use are age-based
–Considered when serum level above 14 mg/dL
-
Exchange transfusion should be considered with serum levels above 25 mg/dL
-
IVF or breast-feed more frequently to increase volume
-
-
-
Correct endocrine abnormality
-
Improve perfusion if cardiac problem
-
Correct anatomic abnormality
-
Consider enteral binding agents
–Cholestyramine, charcoal, calcium phosphate
-
Crigler-Najjar: Phenobarbital, may need liver transplantation
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Asterixis [Liver flap, flapping tremor]:
Emergency interventions
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Because asterixis may signal serious metabolic deterioration, quickly evaluate the patient’s neurologic status and vital signs. Compare these data with baseline measurements, and watch carefully for acute changes. Continue to closely monitor his neurologic status, vital signs, and urine output.
Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency, and be prepared to provide endotracheal intubation and ventilatory support. Also, be alert for complications of end-stage hepatic, renal, or pulmonary disease.
If the patient has hepatic disease, assess him for early indications of hemorrhage, including restlessness, tachypnea, and cool, moist, pale skin. (If the patient is jaundiced, check for pallor in the conjunctiva and mucous membranes of the mouth.)
It’s important to recognize that hypotension, oliguria, hematemesis, and melena are late signs of hemorrhage. Prepare to insert a large-bore I.V. line for fluid and blood replacement. Position the patient flat in bed with his legs elevated 20 degrees. Begin or continue to administer oxygen.
If the patient has renal disease, briefly review the therapy he has received. If he’s on dialysis, ask about the frequency of treatments to help gauge the severity of disease. Question a family member if the patient’s LOC is significantly decreased.
Then assess the patient for hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Look for tachycardia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle weakness, hyperreflexia, and Kussmaul’s respirations. Prepare to administer sodium bicarbonate, calcium gluconate, dextrose, insulin, or sodium polystyrene sulfonate.
If the patient has pulmonary disease, check for labored respirations, tachypnea, accessory muscle use, and cyanosis, which are critical signs. Prepare to provide ventilatory support via nasal cannula, mask, or intubation and mechanical ventilation.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Fatty liver:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Treatment of fatty liver is essentially supportive and consists of correcting the underlying condition or eliminating its cause. For instance, when fatty liver results from parenteral nutrition, decreasing the rate of carbohydrate infusion may correct the disease. In alcoholic fatty liver, abstinence from alcohol and a proper diet can begin to correct liver changes within 4 to 8 weeks. Such correction requires comprehensive patient teaching.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Liver abscess:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
If the organism causing the liver abscess is unknown, long-term antibiotic therapy begins immediately. When culture results are obtained, antibiotics are prescribed specific to treat the organism. Therapy usually continues for 2 to 4 months. Surgery is usually avoided, but it may be done for a single pyogenic abscess or for an amebic abscess that fails to respond to antibiotics. In acutely toxic patients, percutaneous needle aspiration and decompression may be needed to remove the abscess.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Liver cancer:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Because liver cancer is commonly in an advanced stage at diagnosis, few hepatic tumors are resectable. A resectable tumor must be a single tumor in one lobe, without cirrhosis, jaundice, or ascites. Resection is done by lobectomy or partial hepatectomy.
Radiation therapy for unresectable tumors is usually palliative. Because of the liver's low tolerance for radiation, external beam radiation hasn't increased survival. However, radiolabeled antibodies have been used to selectively target cancer tissue; when used concurrently with chemotherapy, patients can convert from nonresectable to resectable.
Another method of treatment is chemotherapy with I.V. fluorouracil, mitomycin, or doxorubicin, or with regional infusion of fluorouracil or floxuridine (catheters are placed directly into the hepatic artery or left brachial artery for continuous infusion for 7 to 21 days, or permanent implantable pumps are used on an outpatient basis for long-term infusion).
Appropriate treatment for liver metastasis may include resection by lobectomy or chemotherapy with mitomycin or fludarabine (results similar to those in hepatoma). Liver transplantation is now an alternative for a small subset of patients.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Asterixis [Liver flap, flapping tremor]:
Emergency interventions
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Because asterixis may signal serious metabolic deterioration, quickly evaluate the patient’s neurologic status and vital signs. Compare these data with his baseline, and watch carefully for acute changes. Continue to closely monitor neurologic status, vital signs, and urine output.
Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency, and be prepared to provide endotracheal intubation and ventilatory support. Also, be alert for complications of end-stage hepatic, renal, or pulmonary disease.
If the patient has hepatic disease, assess him for early indications of hemorrhage, including restlessness, tachypnea, and cool, moist, pale skin. (If the patient is jaundiced, check for pallor in the conjunctivae and mucous membranes of the mouth.) Be aware that hypotension, oliguria, hematemesis, and melena are late signs of hemorrhage. Prepare to insert a large-bore I.V. line for fluid and blood replacement. Position the patient flat in bed with his legs elevated 20 degrees. Begin or continue to administer oxygen.
If the patient has renal disease, briefly review the therapy he has received. If he’s on dialysis, ask about the frequency of treatments to help gauge the disease’s severity. Question a family member if the patient’s LOC is significantly decreased.
Then assess the patient for hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Look for tachycardia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle weakness, hyperreflexia, and Kussmaul’s respirations. Prepare to administer sodium bicarbonate, calcium gluconate, dextrose, insulin, or sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate).
If the patient has pulmonary disease, check for labored respirations, tachypnea, accessory muscle use, and cyanosis, which are critical signs. Prepare to provide ventilatory support by nasal cannula, mask, or intubation and mechanical ventilation.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Jaundice [Icterus]:
Patient counseling
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Encourage the patient with a hepatic disorder to decrease his protein intake sharply and increase his intake of carbohydrates. If he has obstructive jaundice, encourage a nutritious, balanced diet (avoiding high-fat foods) and frequent small meals.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Fatty liver:
Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)
The treatment for fatty liver is essentially supportive and consists of correcting the underlying condition or eliminating its cause. Fatty liver that results from TPN may be ameliorated or prevented by giving choline.
In alcoholic fatty liver, abstinence from alcohol and a proper diet can begin to correct liver changes within 4 to 8 weeks. This requires comprehensive patient teaching.
Depending on the degree of severity, the patient may need to undergo liver transplantation.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Liver abscess:
Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)
Antibiotic therapy along with drainage is the preferred treatment for most hepatic abscesses. Percutaneous drainage either with ultrasound or CT guidance is usually sufficient to evacuate pus. Surgery may be performed to drain pus in patients with an unstable condition and continued sepsis (despite attempted nonsurgical treatment) and in patients with a persistent fever (lasting longer than 2 weeks) after percutaneous drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Before the causative organism is identified, an antibiotic should be started to treat aerobic gram-negative bacilli, streptococci, and anaerobic bacilli, including Bacteroides species. A combination may be used. When the causative organisms are identified, the antibiotic regimen should be modified to match the patient’s sensitivities. An I.V. antibiotic should be administered for 14 days and then replaced with an oral preparation to complete a 6-week course.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Liver cancer:
Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)
Because liver cancer is usually in an advanced stage at diagnosis, few hepatic tumors are resectable. A resectable tumor must be a single tumor in one lobe, without cirrhosis, jaundice, or ascites. Resection is done by lobectomy or partial hepatectomy.
Radiation therapy for unresectable tumors is usually palliative. However, because of the liver’s low tolerance for radiation, this therapy hasn’t increased survival.
Another treatment method is chemotherapy either I.V. or with regional infusion of a chemotherapeutic drug. (A catheter is placed directly into the hepatic artery or left brachial artery for continuous infusion for 7 to 21 days, or permanent implantable pumps are used on an outpatient basis for long-term infusion.)
Appropriate treatment for liver metastasis may include resection by lobectomy or chemotherapy. (The results are similar to those in hepatoma.) Liver transplantation is an alternative for some patients.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Hepatomegaly:
Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Instruct the patient to avoid alcohol. Explain the importance of following the treatment plan to correct or control the underlying disorder as needed. Tell the patient to avoid exposure to people with infections and to maintain good personal hygiene. Explain the importance of pacing activities and having frequent rest periods.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Jaundice:
Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Encourage the patient with a hepatic disorder to decrease his protein intake sharply and increase his intake of carbohydrates. If he has obstructive jaundice, encourage a nutritious, balanced diet (avoiding high-fat foods) and frequent small meals. Teach the patient ways to reduce pruritus.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Hepatomegaly:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Prepare the patient for liver enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin, and globulin studies to evaluate liver function and for X-rays, a liver scan, celiac arteriography, a computed tomography scan, and ultrasonography to confirm hepatomegaly.
▪ Provide bed rest, relief from stress, and adequate nutrition to help protect liver cells from further damage and to allow the liver to regenerate functioning cells.
▪ Monitor and restrict dietary protein as needed.
▪ Give hepatotoxic drugs or drugs metabolized by the liver in very small doses, if at all.
Patient teaching
▪ Explain the underlying disorder and its treatments.
▪ Stress the importance of avoiding alcohol and people with infections.
▪ Discuss the importance of pacing activities and rest periods.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Asterixis [Liver flap, flapping tremor]:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Provide frequent rest periods to minimize fatigue.
▪ Elevate the head of the bed to relieve dyspnea and orthopnea; administer oxygen therapy.
▪ Administer oil baths and avoid soap to relieve itching caused by jaundice and uremia.
▪ Provide emotional support to the patient and his family.
▪ If the patient is intubated or has a decreased LOC, provide enteral or parenteral nutrition.
▪ Closely monitor serum and urine glucose levels to evaluate hyperalimentation.
▪ Because the patient will probably be on bed rest, reposition him at least once every 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown.
▪ Because the patient's debilitated state makes him prone to infection, follow strict hand-washing and aseptic techniques when changing dressings and caring for invasive lines.
▪ Discuss end-of-life issues, as appropriate.
Patient teaching
▪ Explain the underlying disorder and treatment plan.
▪ Teach the patient the importance of planning periods of rest.
▪ Explain measures to relieve itching.
▪ Discuss measures to reduce the risk of infection with the patient and his family.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Jaundice [Icterus]:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ To decrease pruritus, frequently bathe the patient; apply an antipruritic lotion, such as calamine; and administer diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine.
▪ Prepare the patient for diagnostic tests to evaluate biliary and hepatic function, including laboratory studies (such as urine and fecal urobilinogen, serum bilirubin, liver enzyme, and cholesterol levels; prothrombin time; and a complete blood count), computed tomography, ultrasonography, cholangiography, liver biopsy, and exploratory laparotomy.
Patient teaching
▪ Teach the patient appropriate dietary changes.
▪ Discuss ways to reduce pruritis.
▪ Review with the patient prescribed medications and their possible adverse effects.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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