Liver Disease Management at AGMG
Learn about Liver Disease Management from the doctors of Associated Gastroenterology
One in ten Americans has some form of liver disease. Very often patients are not even aware they have a liver disease until there is significant damage. At AGMG, our doctors are highly skilled in all aspects of liver disease from acute hepatitis to management of decompensated cirrhosis.
What are the different types of liver disease?
There are more than 100 types of liver diseases. The most common include:
- Hepatitis A, B and C
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Alcoholic Liver Disease
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Hemochromatosis
- Liver Cancer
- Cirrhosis
How is liver disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis of liver disease often requires a number of different tests to both determine what caused the liver damage and how extensive is the damage.
Testing can include:
- Blood tests
- Radiology tests like ultrasound, CT scan, MRI
- Fibroscan
- Liver biopsy
At AGMG, we are proud to offer our patients a new technology called Fibroscan. This is a non-invasive (no biopsy) way to assess how diseased the liver is. This can also be monitored over time to see if the liver is getting better or worse.
We love what we do, and we love our patients. We hope to see you at Associated Gastroenterology.
How is Liver disease managed?
First goal for management of liver disease is to eliminate what is injuring the liver
- Alcohol
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Inflammation
- Fat
The next goal is to monitor and treat complications of liver disease
- Dilated blood veins (varices)
- Bleeding
- Swelling in the abdomen and legs
- Confusion
- Kidney disease
- Electrolyte changes
- Cancer
Treatment of these complications can include:
What is a liver disease diet?
- What to avoid: Don’t eat foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Stay away from fried foods including fast food restaurant meals. Raw or undercooked shellfish such as oysters and clams are not allowed! They carry a risk for an infection with a bacteria called vibrio vulnificus which can be a serious risk to patients with liver disease.
- Talk to your doctor about alcohol and your liver health: Depending on the state of your liver, you should avoid alcohol. If you’re allowed alcohol, limit it to no more than one drink a day if you’re a woman and two drinks a day if you’re a man
- Eat a balanced diet: Select foods from all food groups: Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat and beans, milk, and oil.
- Eat food with fiber: Fiber helps your liver work at an optimal level. Fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals can take care of your body’s fiber needs.
- Drink lots of water: It prevents dehydration and it helps your liver to function better
Where can I go for more information about liver disease?
The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is an amazing resource for all patients with or interested in learning more liver disease. There is disease information, medication information and local support groups. Learn more: liverfoundation.org