chapter 25

liver functions

produce bile to emulsify fats, metabolize and store nutrients, make plasma proteins, clotting factors.

fatty liver

triglycerides build up in the liver and enlarges

alcohol, infection, cancer, obesity, drugs, diabetes

hepatomegaly 

enlarged liver, 

fatigued, inflammation, cancer, failure

diet recommendation depends of the cause

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver,

causes are microbes, alcohol, drugs, chemicals, fast, supplements,

A: caused by eating, or handling food contaminated with feces, floods, shellfish, child care, traveling, to endemic areas, vaccine is available 

B: infected blood, needles, sex, vaccine is available 

C: infected blood, needles, sometimes sex, no vaccine

cirrhosis 

hardening of the liver with scar tissue

causes are alcohol, infections, bile duct disorders, CHF, drugs, supplements, hepatitis, certain diseases

symptoms: fatigue, weaknes, anorexia, bruising, jaundice

portal hypertension, esophageal varices, ascites

ammonia production and hepatic coma

liver joins the NH3, to CO2, to make urea

urea is sent to the kidneys, released

liver can’t metabolize ammonia so it stays in the blood stream, depresses nervous system 

liver transplant

malnourished, immunosuppressant drugs, 

gallstones

high cholesterol, infections, 

lithotripsy is the treatment. 

anemia

too little iron, folate or B12

iron: small RBCs

folate: big RBCs