Hepatomegaly is a condition that causes your liver to be enlarged beyond its normal size. It is a symptom of many illnesses, including hepatitis.
Your doctor can usually feel a swollen liver during a physical exam.
Your doctor may also want to do an ultrasound or computed tomography scan.
Causes
Your liver has many important jobs, such as cleaning your blood, making a liquid called bile, breaking down fat from food and storing sugar for energy. Hepatomegaly is a condition in which the liver becomes enlarged beyond its normal size. A swollen liver has a variety of causes, including infections, hepatitis, cancer and other diseases.
If the liver becomes too large, it can put pressure on the stomach and lungs, which may cause problems such as weight loss and difficulty breathing. Hepatomegaly is a sign of a serious condition, so you should visit your doctor to get diagnosed and treated.
A physical exam will include a careful look at the abdomen for signs of hepatomegaly. Your doctor will feel the abdomen to see if there are areas of swelling or if he can feel the liver and spleen easily. Blood tests may also be ordered to check your blood’s clotting and liver function. An imaging test, such as ultrasound or computed tomography scan, can help your doctor figure out what is causing the hepatomegaly.
Mild hepatomegaly is more of a warning than a disease. It indicates that you are taking in more alcohol than your body can process, which is hard on the liver. It can also indicate a chronic illness, such as heart failure or cancer, or even an overuse injury.
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Hepatomegaly can also be caused by medications. For example, the antibiotic amiodarone can lead to liver damage. Some heart medicines can also cause hepatomegaly. Hepatomegaly can also be a sign of congestive heart failure.
Pregnancy can also cause hepatomegaly. If hepatomegaly is caused by an infection, your doctor may treat the infection. If the hepatomegaly is due to a condition such as a tumor or an abscess, your doctor will likely order an imaging test and other tests to make a diagnosis.
In rare cases, hepatomegaly can be caused by a genetic condition. Hepatomegaly is often the first symptom of Jacobsen syndrome, which is caused by monosomy of chromosome 11q. It can also be a symptom of transient abnormal myelopoiesis, which is associated with trisomy 21.
Symptoms
Depending on the condition that caused your hepatomegaly, you may not experience any symptoms. Mild hepatomegaly, for example, can occur temporarily due to alcohol consumption or certain medications. However, you should schedule a medical evaluation if you experience stomach pain, loss of appetite, jaundice, or weight gain due to an enlarged liver. Hepatomegaly is often a symptom of serious conditions that require immediate treatment.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam to assess your overall health and determine whether or not you have hepatomegaly. He or she will gently press on your abdomen to feel if the liver is enlarged. Typically, the liver can be felt below the diaphragm, under the lower edge of the right ribcage. An enlarged liver will be soft and move easily.
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A complete medical history is also important to help your doctor identify the underlying cause of your hepatomegaly. Be sure to mention any past infections and your current medications, including over-the-counter supplements and herbal remedies. Some medications can increase your risk of developing hepatomegaly, including antiviral drugs used to treat viral hepatitis and immune suppressants used to treat autoimmune hepatitis.
If your liver is enlarged, it is likely that your spleen is enlarged as well. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly are commonly known as “hepatosplenomegaly.”
In addition to performing a physical exam, your doctor will order lab tests to check your blood counts and to rule out other conditions that could cause your hepatomegaly, such as tumors or cirrhosis. Your doctor will also ask you about your lifestyle, including your diet and any medications or supplements you take.
If hepatomegaly is suspected, your doctor may order an ultrasound or CT scan to evaluate your liver and spleen. He or she may also perform a biopsy to remove a sample of your liver for further testing. A liver biopsy can help diagnose the underlying cause of your hepatomegaly. If the diagnosis is not clear, your doctor may order imaging tests or other tests to rule out other conditions that can cause hepatomegaly. Your doctor will then begin treating the underlying condition that is causing your hepatomegaly.
Diagnosis
The liver is a large, wedge-shaped organ in the upper right side of your abdomen. It has many important functions, including filtering toxins out of the blood, producing bile that helps you digest fats, and storing sugar for your body to use as energy. A swollen or enlarged liver is called hepatomegaly, and it can be an indication of a number of diseases.
The diagnosis of hepatomegaly usually starts with a physical examination and a complete medical history. Your doctor will ask questions about any symptoms you are experiencing, such as a fullness or bloated feeling in the stomach, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Your family history is also important, as hepatomegaly can be passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy.
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During the physical exam, your doctor may be able to feel a swollen or enlarged liver with his hands. He or she will also examine you for other signs of hepatomegaly, such as swelling of the abdominal wall or a lump in the stomach.
Hepatomegaly can be a sign of serious conditions, such as hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or cirrhosis. Your doctor will perform a liver biopsy to diagnose the condition and determine its cause. The procedure involves inserting a thin needle into your liver and collecting a small sample of tissue. Your doctor will then test the sample for signs of hepatitis and other liver damage.
In some cases, hepatomegaly can be caused by a buildup of excess fat in the liver. This is called hepatic steatosis or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this case, your doctor will suggest that you change your diet and exercise habits to lose weight and lower your fat intake.
Other tests may be needed to diagnose hepatomegaly, such as blood tests and imaging studies. Your doctor will need to know if you have any other health problems, such as a heart condition or cancer, and what medications you are taking. He or she may also recommend that you stop drinking alcohol.
Treatment
Hepatomegaly can be a symptom of a number of illnesses. It can be caused by liver disease, an infection, a genetic condition, or even by poisoning or abnormalities of the blood vessels and heart. It is important to treat the underlying illness when it is present, as this will help to prevent further damage to the liver and other organs of the body.
A swollen liver may cause several symptoms, including abdominal pain and discomfort, fatigue, and feelings of fullness or bloating in the abdomen. It can also lead to yellowing of the skin and eyes, known as jaundice. People who suffer from hepatomegaly are at risk of developing other health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.
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Treatment options for hepatomegaly vary depending on the specific cause of the enlarged liver. For example, hepatomegaly may be due to the use of certain medications, such as anti-rejection drugs used after organ transplantation. Other causes of hepatomegaly include a high intake of fatty foods, alcohol abuse, or other medications such as diuretics or cholesterol-lowering drugs. Treatment will depend on the specific cause of hepatomegaly and will involve a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and diet.
Fortunately, mild hepatomegaly is usually not serious and can be reversed in many cases. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding healthy practices, such as eating a balanced diet, drinking no more than moderate amounts of alcohol, and taking dietary supplements only under the supervision of your doctor.
The hepatocytes are the cells that make up your liver. The main functions of the liver are to filter the blood, make bile, and store sugar (glucose) for energy. The liver also protects the rest of your body from diseases like cancer and aids in digestion. Your liver is an essential organ, so it’s important to take care of it.
