Treatments for liver problem symptoms vary based on the type of liver issue and the individual patient. Liver diseases can cause a whole range of symptoms, so treatments can include everything from over the counter medications to surgery. Common complaints from liver patients include digestive upset, yellowing of the eyes and skin, and abdominal pain. Treatments can include pain relief medications, digestive aids, diet changes, and more drastic measures like steroids and surgery to treat the underlying condition itself.
The liver is the body's largest organ and controls a variety of functions in the body. It aids in everything from digestion to reproduction, although its main job is to filter toxins from the body. Since it aids in so many systems, symptoms of a liver condition can range from digestive upset to cessation of menstrual periods. Treatments for liver problem symptoms usually consist of medications aimed to help with the discomfort they cause and the underlying problem.
On the most basic level, treatments for liver problem symptoms can include things like digestive aids, pain relievers, and dietary changes. Eating a diet with foods that are easier to digest may put less strain on the liver alleviate some of the abdominal symptoms experienced by many with liver disease. Prescription medications may also be used to help the liver function more easily and to substitute the enzymes it usually secretes to aid in digestion and other processes.
It is also commonly added in many treatment plans that foods which may agitate the liver should be avoided. This can include heavily processed foods, alcohol, high levels of caffeine, and certain medications like acetaminophen. Alternate pain medications should be used if long-term pain is an issue. A medical professional should be consulted before patients with liver problems take any medications.
Additional treatments for liver problem symptoms aim to alleviate the disease or condition causing the issues. This will vary widely depending on the disease being treated. Corticosteroids, dialysis, and liver transplant are all potential treatment options. Many liver problems, such as hepatitis, will eventually require a liver transplant to increase the survival rate.
Some additional treatments are still under investigation, but have proven effective in many studies. Antioxidants, for instance, have been used to treat some liver patients with great success. Other medications are designed to inhibit the formation or growth of cytokines, and they have had some success as well, although results in studies have indicated that they may not be beneficial for all patients.