Enlarged Liver

Enlarged Liver Symptoms and Causes 

Enlarged liver is a condition in which the liver grows larger than it should. Causes of enlarged liver are listed below. An enlarged liver condition is also known as hepatomegaly. Enlarged liver symptoms do not generally appear if the liver is slightly enlarged. But grossly enlarged liver symptoms will be apparent. An enlarged liver is also sometimes called a swollen liver.

A normal adult liver is about the size of a small football, and weighs 3-4 pounds or approximately 1.5 kilograms.

An enlarged liver isn't considered a diseased liver, but it's usually a symptom something is wrong.

Causes of enlarged liver

The most frequently diagnosed causes of enlarged liver are:

• Viral hepatitis 
• Polycystic liver disease
• Liver infection
• Liver cysts 
• Cirrhosis 
• Various forms of hepatitis
• Fatty liver disease 
• Certain common infections like mononucleosis and malaria
• Certain forms of cancer (especially leukemia)
• Alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Enlarged liver symptoms

As mentioned above, a slightly enlarged liver usually won't present any symptoms. But a grossly enlarged liver can cause discomfort and a feeling of fullness in the abdominal area.

An enlarged liver can cause

• ascites, or fluid in the abdomen,
• cholestasis, which is the failure of bile to flow from the liver through the bile ducts
• jaundice.

Prevention

Once the causes of enlarged liver have been pinpointed, treatment can begin. If the cause is related to alcohol overuse, it's important to stop drinking. If alcohol is not one of the causes, then some lifestyle changes might be in order. Exercise and weight control become extremely important.

You can avoid getting an enlarged liver by

• Drinking alcohol in moderation, or not at all
• Never drinking alcohol while consuming other drugs
• Being careful when taking multiple medications, and be sure to take only the recommended doses
• Talking to your doctor before trying herbal supplements. Some supplements can damage the liver
• Also being careful with vitamins. Certain combinations can be hazardous, notably vitamins A, D, E and K
• Taking care when using aerosol cleaners, insecticides and other toxic chemicals. Always make sure the area is well ventilated. Many household cleaners contain toxins that can harm your liver

Most important of all: eat a sensible diet and exercise regularly. Diet and exercise are the biggest factors in preventing a problem with an enlarged liver or having enlarged liver symptoms. 

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