Liver, Gallbladder and Pancreas Diseases

Viral Hepatitis

1. Causes (Types)

• A – from food/water (least serious)

• B – from blood, sex, needles

• C – same as B, leads to chronic liver disease

• D – only with B

• E – like A (water-related, rare in U.S.)

• G – unclear, doesn’t cause disease

2. What Happens

• Liver gets inflamed

• Liver cells die and get replaced with fat

3. Symptoms

• Flu-like symptoms

• Nausea, vomiting

• Tender liver, dark urine, jaundice

• Some types cause no symptoms

Cirrhosis

1. Causes

• Hepatitis B/C

• Alcohol

• Obesity, drugs, infections

2. What Happens

• Liver damage: scar tissue, can’t regenerate properly

• Blood flow problem: leads to portal hypertension (pressure in liver veins)

3. Symptoms

• Weakness, weight loss, jaundice, swollen belly

• Bleeding (from veins in the esophagus)

• Liver failure, confusion, coma

• Ascites (fluid in belly), spider veins on skin

Cholecystitis

1. Cause

• Usually from gallstones blocking bile flow

2. What Happens

• Gallbladder swells, inflames

• Can leak calcium and burs

Cholelithiasis

1. Definition

• Stones in the gallbladder

2. Causes

• Age, obesity, pregnancy, diabetes

• Changes in bile chemicals

3. What Happens

• Pain after eating

• Can block bile → causes cholecystitis, hepatitis, or pancreatitis

Pancreatitis

. Causes

• Gallstones, alcohol, ulcers

2. What Happens

• Pancreas digests itself

• Leads to inflammation, swelling, bleeding

3. Symptoms

• Severe LUQ pain (upper left belly) → back

• Nausea, vomiting, fever

• Jaundice, shock, or even death

• Chronic: poor digestion, can lead to diabete

Diabetes Mellitus

1. Causes

• Type 1: pancreas makes no insulin (autoimmune)

• Type 2: body resists insulin (linked to weight, age)

2. What Happens

• Glucose can’t enter cells → stays in blood

• Causes high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)

3. Symptoms / Diagnosis

• Pee a lot, always thirsty/hungry, tired

• Weight loss, blurred vision, slow healing

• Tests: blood sugar, HbA1C (long-term sugar levels)

4. Complications

• Heart disease, kidney failure, nerve pain

• Blindness, foot infections → amputations

• Hypoglycemia (if meds are too strong): shaky, dizzy, can pass out

5. Type 1 vs. Type 2

• Type 1: younger, needs insulin

• Type 2: older, lifestyle-related, may not need insulin at first

6. Treatment

• Type 1: insulin, diet, exercise

• Type 2: weight loss, healthy eating, pills, sometimes insulin