Swollen Liver

Is Swollen Liver The Same As Enlarged Liver?

Swollen liver, as the name suggests, is a condition in which the liver swells and gets larger than normal because of a variety of possible liver diseases and conditions. Swollen liver is not actually a liver disease - it is a symptom of some other liver problem that is in progress. Causes of swollen liver are listed below.

Swollen liver is more commonly known as enlarged liver. The medical term for swollen liver is hepatomegaly.

There are generally no swollen liver symptoms in the early stages of a liver disease or condition. But as the disorder progresses and the liver enlarges, swollen liver symptoms will probably appear. We have a separate article on swollen liver symptoms on this website.

Normally, an adult liver weighs 3-4 pounds (1.5 kilograms) and is approximately the size of a small American football.

Swollen liver causes

Swollen liver often occurs when one or more of the following causes are present.

• Various forms of hepatitis and cirrhosis
• Cancer in or around the liver (liver cancer is known as hepatic cancer). Leukemia is a common cause of swollen liver
• Polycystic liver disease or other forms of cysts on the liverAn infected liver (often caused by illnesses like mononucleosis and malaria)
• Fat in and around the liver (commonly known as fatty liver disease)

Swollen liver treatment and prevention

Diagnosing the causes of swollen liver is the first step. Once causes have been identified, treatment for swollen liver can start. If swollen liver is caused by cancer or an infection, it's important to treat those disorders as quickly as possible.

If the cause is alcohol-induced hepatitis or cirrhosis brought on by excessive alcohol use, drinking must stop immediately. If swollen liver has not been caused by alcohol use or some other health disorder, then the first step would probably be making some lifestyle changes. Your doctor is likely to ask you to eat a sensible diet and exercise regularly. Diet and exercise are the important factors in both treating and preventing swollen liver.

If you think you're a candidate for a swollen liver, here's what you can do to make sure you lower your risk.

Drink alcohol in moderation, or better yet, don't drink at all. If you do imbibe, make sure never to do it while taking drugs or medications. Combining alcohol and pharmaceuticals can be toxic to the liver.

Take only medications or supplements recommended or prescribed by your doctor, and make sure you stick to recommended doses. Get your doctor's advice before trying herbal supplements you haven't taken before: sSome supplements can damage the liver. You should also be careful with vitamins because certain combinations can be harmful. Vitamins A, D, E and K merit special attention.

Also take great care around aerosol cleaners, insecticides and other toxic chemicals. If you work with these substances, make sure you're in an area that is well ventilated. Some household cleaners are especially dangerous to the liver. 

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