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Structure of the Liver
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Function of the Liver
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Diseases of the Liver
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Hepatitis (the top
level disease)
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Types of
Hepatitis
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Symptoms and
Treatment
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Care about
your Liver
more important to read

Structure of the Liver
Liver, largest
internal organ of vertebrates, found in the right upper portion of the
abdomen. Unlike any other organ, the liver has two sources of blood: the
hepatic artery carrying oxygenated blood from the heart, and the portal vein
carrying the products of digestion from the digestive system. The liver is
composed of tiny lobules containing columns of cells surrounded by channels
into which the bile produced by the cells is poured. These channels join to
form larger ducts, uniting in the hepatic duct, which, along with the duct
from the gallbladder, forms the common bile duct.
Function
of the Liver
At any moment, the
liver contains about 10 percent of the body's blood. The liver helps the
blood to process nutrients and removes waste materials, toxins, and harmful
substances. It stores glycogen, iron, copper, vitamin A, many of the
B-complex vitamins, and vitamin D. It produces proteins, including many of
those essential in normal blood clotting. It also produces carbohydrates,
cholesterol, and enzymes. The liver detoxifies many drugs.
Diseases
of the Liver
Hepatitis is a viral
infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Liver inflammation is also
caused by chemicals, poisons, drugs, bacteria, and certain parasites. In
some cases, hepatitis becomes chronic and may lead to cirrhosis, (a
condition of progressive scarring), which is usually associated with
excessive intake of alcohol. Jaundice is caused by abnormally large
quantities of bilirubin (the breakdown product of hemoglobin) in the blood.
Certain diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, are associated with an excess
of fat in the liver. As fat accumulates, the liver cells are replaced by fat
tissue, and the liver degenerates. Buildup of fat in the liver is seen
temporarily in pregnancy and after maintaining a diet rich in fat. Other
diseases afflicting the liver include abscess, and tumors, including cancer.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis,
inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection. Immunity usually
follows an attack, but immunity to one type of virus does not confer
immunity to others.
Types of Hepatitis
Previously known as
infectious hepatitis, hepatitis A is transmitted primarily by contaminated
food or unsterilized hypodermic needles. Hepatitis B, previously called
serum hepatitis, is epidemic in parts of Asia and Africa. Hepatitis B is
transmitted by injections, usually during blood transfusions, and also
through sexual contact. Testing of blood intended for transfusion has
greatly reduced post-transfusion hepatitis B. Hepatitis C is transmitted
through blood and body fluids, and hepatitis E is transmitted in
contaminated drinking water. Hepatitis D can be transmitted only if
hepatitis B is present. Other hepatitis viruses have been isolated, but
their role in causing disease is unknown.
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms include
fever, loss of appetite, muscle pains, and jaundice. Recovery may take six
months, and in about 5 percent of cases the disease becomes chronic. The
fatality rate is about 1 percent but may be higher for hepatitis B. A
vaccine exists to prevent hepatitis B, but cost has limited its use.
Interferon has been effective against chronic hepatitis C. No treatment is
available for acute viral hepatitis.
Care about your Liver
The main causes of liver
damage are:
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Sleeping too late and
waking up too late are main cause.
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Not urinating in the
morning.
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Too much eating.
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Skipping breakfast.
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Consuming too much
medication.
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Consuming too much
preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
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Consuming unhealthy
cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which
includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried
foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
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Consuming raw (overly
done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
antethire (Vitamin B5) 300 mg three times a day
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