Tag: liver cancer

Lung and Liver diseases: What is the role of alpha-1 antitrypsin in the body

Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a protein produced in the liver that protects the body’s tissues from being damaged by infection-fighting agents released by its immune system[1]. It is an acute-phase protein and the most abundant serine proteinase inhibitor in human plasma[9]. Its major function is the inhibition of elastase, a substance that can break down tissue, especially in the lung[8]. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is responsible for approximately 90% of the protection against elastolytic activity in the lower airways caused by elastase released from neutrophils[2]. If neutrophil elastases are not opposed, panacinar lung tissue is damaged, and the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases[2].

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited condition that can cause lung and liver damage[1]. It is caused by variants in the SERPINA1 gene that provide instructions for making alpha-1 antitrypsin protein[1]. In alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, the body’s normal production of alpha-1 antitrypsin is reduced, resulting in the destruction of sensitive lung tissue[1].

Symptoms

The most common symptom of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is shortness of breath after physical activity[8]. Other respiratory symptoms include wheezing, coughing, and recurring respiratory infections[3]. Patients may also experience reduced ability to exercise, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat upon standing[3]. Eventually, patients may develop emphysema, a condition in which the small air sacs in the lungs become damaged[3]. About 10% to 15% of patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency develop liver disease, with symptoms including a swollen abdomen, swollen feet or legs, and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes[3].

Diagnosis

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may be difficult to diagnose because no single physical sign or symptom can be used to confirm a diagnosis[3]. Genetic testing and blood tests may be used to diagnose the condition[1]. The American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society recommends testing high-risk groups, such as all chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, all nonresponsive asthmatic adults/adolescents, all cases of cryptogenic cirrhosis/liver disease, subjects with granulomatosis with polyangitis, bronchiectasis of unknown etiology, panniculitis, and first-degree relatives of patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency[2].

Treatment

There is no cure for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, but the lung diseases that it causes can be treated[5]. The initial treatment is similar to that of emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [5]. The treatment includes bronchodilators, which make breathing easier by relaxing the muscles around the airways[5]. Bronchodilators can be short-acting or long-acting, and they can be used as needed or every day[5]. Patients may also receive inhaled steroids to reduce inflammation in the airways[5]. In addition, patients should quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, protect themselves from environmental dusts or workplace exposure to toxic substances, and get regular exercise and control their weight[10].

The only specific therapy for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is augmentation therapy[5]. During this therapy, preparations of alpha-1 antitrypsin protein that have been isolated from pooled blood of healthy donors are given by weekly intravenous infusion[5]. This elevates the blood levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin to levels that are protective for the lung[5]. Well-designed studies have shown that augmentation therapy helps to preserve lung function and decreases the number and severity of lung infections[5].

In summary, alpha-1 antitrypsin is a protein produced in the liver that protects the body’s tissues from being damaged by infection-fighting agents released by its immune system. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited condition that can cause lung and liver damage. Diagnosis may involve genetic testing and blood tests, and treatment may include bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, and augmentation therapy. Patients should also quit smoking, avoid secondhand smoke, protect themselves from environmental dusts or workplace exposure to toxic substances, and get regular exercise and control their weight.

Citations:
[1] https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency/learn-about-alpha-1-antitrypsin-defiency
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482180/
[3] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21175-alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency
[4] https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1513/AnnalsATS.201507-468KV
[5] https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/295686-overview
[6] https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency/
[7] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000120.htm
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/alpha-1-antitrypsin
[9] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.00341/full

Chronic liver disease can affect brain health

Chronic liver disease has the potential to impact brain health in a multitude of ways. One prevalent neurological disorder that arises from liver damage is “hepatic encephalopathy,” which entails the degradation of cognitive function as a result of toxins building up in the bloodstream, typically filtered by the liver. The manifestation of hepatic encephalopathy can encompass symptoms such as confusion, anxiety, mood fluctuations, memory impairments, sleep disturbances and even comatose states.

Chronic liver disease may lead to brain damage through the accumulation of manganese in the cerebral cortex, resulting in a syndrome akin to Parkinson’s disease. Manganese is typically eliminated by the liver; however, when hepatic function is compromised, it can accumulate within the bloodstream and settle within specific regions of the brain, particularly those controlling movement such as the basal ganglia.

Chronic liver disease may lead to neuroinflammation, which involves the stimulation of immune cells in the brain that generate inflammatory molecules. Neuroinflammation can hinder neuronal function and viability, as well as contribute to cognitive deterioration and neurological ailments.

Hence, the persistence of liver disease can result in grave ramifications on cognitive processes and brain well-being. It is therefore crucial to promptly seek medical aid and therapy if any indications or signs of hepatic complications or neurological dysfunction arise.

Lactulose and rifaximin serve as the primary pharmacological interventions for hepatic encephalopathy; however, they may elicit certain adverse reactions. Among the potential side effects include.

The diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy relies on the identification of neurological symptoms, liver function assessments, blood ammonia level examinations and other tests aimed at eliminating alternative causes of brain dysfunction¹². In certain instances, an electroencephalogram (EEG) or a brain imaging scan (CT or MRI) may be conducted to evaluate cerebral activity and structure¹².

Management of hepatic encephalopathy is contingent upon the severity and etiology of the ailment. The primary objectives comprise eradicating toxins from circulation, rectifying predisposing factors, and forestalling reoccurrence¹². Several conventional therapeutic alternatives encompass::

Lactulose: a non-absorbable sugar that lowers the pH of the colon and inhibits the growth of ammonia-producing bacteria. It also acts as a laxative and helps eliminate toxins through stool¹².

Rifaximin: an antibiotic that reduces the number of ammonia-producing bacteria in the gut. It is often used in combination with lactulose for patients with recurrent or persistent hepatic encephalopathy¹².

Other antibiotics: such as neomycin or metronidazole may be used as alternatives to rifaximin, but they have more side effects and are less effective¹².

Zinc supplementation: zinc deficiency is common in patients with liver disease and may contribute to hepatic encephalopathy by impairing the metabolism of ammonia. Zinc supplementation may improve cognitive function and reduce ammonia levels in some patients¹².

Liver transplantation: this is the definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease and severe or recurrent hepatic encephalopathy. It can restore normal liver function and eliminate portal-systemic shunting¹².

In addition to these treatments, it is important to identify and correct any precipitating factors that may trigger or worsen hepatic encephalopathy, such as infections, bleeding, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, constipation, medications or dietary changes¹². Patients should also avoid alcohol and limit protein intake to avoid excess ammonia production¹².

Source: Conversation with Bing, 6/24/2023

(1) . https://bing.com/search?q=hepatic+encephalopathy+diagnosis+treatment.

(2) Hepatic Encephalopathy: Diagnosis and Management – PMC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7805282/.

(3) Hepatic encephalopathy – Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best …. https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/294.

(4) Treating Hepatic Encephalopathy – American Liver Foundation. https://liverfoundation.org/liver-diseases/complications-of-liver-disease/hepatic-encephalopathy/treating-hepatic-encephalopathy/.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 6/24/2023

(1) Hepatic Encephalopathy: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21220-hepatic-encephalopathy.

(2) When a diseased liver disrupts the brain: Chronic liver diseases cause …. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190819110007.htm.

(3) Neurologic Manifestations of Chronic Liver Disease and Liver Cirrhosis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25908229/.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 6/24/2023

(1) Rifaximin Uses, Side Effects & Warnings – Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/rifaximin.html.

(2) Rifaximin Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term – Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/sfx/rifaximin-side-effects.html.

(3) Side effects of lactulose – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lactulose/side-effects-of-lactulose/.

(4) Why do we use Lactulose and Rifaximin for Hepatic Encephalopathy …. https://www.aasld.org/liver-fellow-network/core-series/why-series/why-do-we-use-lactulose-and-rifaximin-hepatic.

what are the treatment options for cirrhosis of the liver?

Treatment for cirrhosis depends on the cause of the disease and whether complications are present. The goals of treatment are to slow the progression of scar tissue in the liver and prevent or treat the complications of the disease. Here are some treatment options for cirrhosis of the liver:

  1. Lifestyle changes: Avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, losing weight if overweight or obese, and doing regular exercise to reduce muscle loss can help reduce the chances of further problems and complications[1].
  2. Medications: The medicine you need will depend on what caused the damage to your liver. For example, if cirrhosis is from long-term viral hepatitis, you may be prescribed antiviral medicine. You may be offered medicines to ease the symptoms of cirrhosis, such as diuretics, which are used in combination with a low-salt diet to reduce the amount of fluid in your body, which helps with swelling (oedema), and prescription creams to ease skin itching[1][2].
  3. Treating the complications of cirrhosis: Treatments for the complications of cirrhosis include portal hypertension, which is treated with beta-blockers, and hepatic encephalopathy, which is treated by cleansing the bowel with lactulose, a laxative given orally or in enemas[3].
  4. Liver transplant: If cirrhosis progresses and your liver is severely damaged, a liver transplant may be the only treatment option. This is a major operation that involves removing your damaged liver and replacing it with a healthy liver from a donor[1][4].

In summary, treatment for cirrhosis depends on the cause of the disease and whether complications are present. Lifestyle changes, medications, treating the complications of cirrhosis, and liver transplant are some of the treatment options available.

Citations:
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cirrhosis/treatment/
[2] https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-cirrhosis-treatment
[3] https://surgery.ucsf.edu/conditions–procedures/end-stage-liver-disease-(esld).aspx
[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351492

By Perplexity at https://www.perplexity.ai/search/90dce8a9-e6e8-42df-a62e-a2cd87aa24d2

Stones in the gallbladder : symptoms of cholelithiasis

Stones in the gallbladder statistically appear much more often (up to 3 times) in women than in men. The disease can be asymptomatic for a long time. It happens that unexpectedly and suddenly there is a very strong abdominal pain.

Stones in the gallbladder : symptoms

The main symptom of stones in the gallbladder is severe and acute abdominal pain. This is biliary colic. The pain associated with it usually begins after heavy, fatty meals or after greater physical exertion. It is felt in the upper abdomen and radiates all the way to the right shoulder blade.

It is accompanied by nausea and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth. Most often, the pain disappears spontaneously, only to return after some time (even after a few months) as unexpectedly as it appeared.

What should be done in case of an attack of biliary colic?
It helps to apply a spasmodic agent (No-spa, Buscopan) and apply a warm hot water bottle.
For some time (2-4 weeks) after each meal, it is worth taking preparations supporting the secretion of bile (eg Cholestil, Artecholin, Cholitol).

When colic attacks recur, you should always contact your family doctor. He usually orders an abdominal ultrasound examination and on its basis decides on further proceedings. Most often, he proposes to remove the entire follicle along with the stones in it.

Causes Stones in the gallbladder

They are much more common in women. It has to do with female hormones. Progesterone weakens the contractility of the gallbladder and makes it difficult to remove bile from the bile ducts. In turn, estrogen causes bile to thicken. In addition, stones in the gallbladder are also much more common in women over 40 years of age.

Other factors that favor the development of stones in the gallbladder:

  • overweight and obesity,
  • genetic burden
  • diabetes,
  • use of hormonal contraception,
  • liver failure
  • hormonal disorders
  • short bowel syndrome
  • restrictive diets leading to large weight loss

Treatment of stones in the gallbladder

At the moment, in most cases, the gallbladder is excised using the laparoscopy method. What is the operation?

The doctor places three tubes in the navel and in two small incisions (in the upper part of the epigastric region and on the right side of the trunk, just below the ribs).

He introduces through them the tips of surgical instruments and a telescope with optical fiber, illuminating the field of view and transmitting the image to the monitor.

It excises the entire gallbladder. The treatment takes about 30-40 minutes. Importantly, there are very few contraindications to carry out such an operation. This method is not used only in women in the first trimester of pregnancy, people with cirrhosis of the liver. What is very important, the patient’s carcass does not matter here, which in the case of traditional surgery was a big problem.

After 24 hours after the end of the operation, you can return home, and after a few days to normal activities

What can liver pain mean, and how do you deal with it?

Poor eating habits frequently result in liver pain, but it can also be a sign of something more serious, like hepatitis. Talk to your doctor if the pain in your liver gets worse, doesn’t go away, is very severe, or comes with other worrying signs like vomiting, fever, or jaundice.

The liver is a parenchymal organ with digestive functions and is essential for humans to function. It is made up of hepatocytes and divided into lobes, and its role is most commonly linked to the clearance of poisons from the body.

  • digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats,
  • production of bile, which helps in the digestion of fats,
  • production, including among others heparin, glycogen, plasma proteins, and blood coagulation factors,
  • storage of vitamins A, B, and D,
  • participation in the formation and destruction of red blood cells,
  • heat generation.

The liver, due to its functions, is very vulnerable to damage and diseases, e.g., hepatitis, diseases of the bile ducts, liver cirrhosis, or cancer.

Can the liver hurt?

The liver does not ache, but it does make itself known by spreading out and crushing the tissues and organs around it. Diseases can go on for a long time without being found, and are usually found at an advanced stage. The gallbladder is often affected.

Where and how does the liver hurt? Symptoms of liver pain

The liver is located in the abdominal cavity and can cause pain, stinging, and pressure on the right side of the epigastrium.

  • weakness, fatigue,
  • muscle aches,
  • fever,
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea and vomiting
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, mucous membranes),
  • body itching,
  • dark urine
  • light stool,
  • diarrhea,
  • changes in blood clotting, and as a result, e.g. easy bruising, bleeding,
  • pain in the whole abdomen, 
  • leg swelling,
  • flatulence, heartburn,
  • digestive problems after fatty food.

The right side of the epigastrium may experience pain in addition to these symptoms. One of several issues with this organ can be detected based on the other symptoms and testing.

Causes of liver pain. What can liver pain mean?

The most common causes of liver disorders are a high-fat diet, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar levels. If you have recurring liver discomfort and other symptoms, see a doctor immediately. Hepatitis, cirrhosis, or malignant alterations can also cause liver disorders.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis can occur as a result of:

  • viral infection (hepatitis A, hepatitis B or C),
  • excessive consumption of alcohol,
  • effects of toxic substances, including drugs,
  • disorders of the immune system (the body attacking the liver cells). 

Congenital hepatitis is more common in obese people with high blood pressure or diabetes, and can be caused by congenital defects.

Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is caused by the formation of scar tissue and damage to the liver’s parenchyma, resulting in a decreased ability to function.

  • hepatitis,
  • non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,
  • some congenital genetic disorders,
  • the action of some drugs, as well as toxic substances (e.g. mushroom poisoning ),

There is also cirrhosis secondary to heart failure.

Liver cancer

Liver cancer is an uncommon malignancy that usually strikes men in their fifth or sixth decade of life, classified into two types.

  • hepatocellular carcinoma – arising from the liver parenchyma,
  • adenocarcinoma – arising from the epithelium of the bile ducts.

The main cause of liver cancer is metastasis from other organs . However, it is worth remembering that the risk of developing liver cancer is increased by such factors as:

  • hepatitis B and C,
  • exposure to toxins (e.g. from mold),
  • excessive alcohol consumption,
  • smoking,
  • and liver infection with parasites.

Cholecystolithiasis

Gallbladder stones are a disease that happens when cholesterol or bile salts build up in the gallbladder. This can cause acute cholecystitis and a sharp pain in the area of the liver. Other symptoms include vomiting, chills, and a high fever.

How do you deal with liver pain?

The most important details are that Diastolic medicine, painkillers, and a warm hot water bottle or heating pad can help relieve severe liver pain. Additionally, herbs for the liver, natural medicines, and preparations containing plant phospholipids can help a weakened liver. These preparations do not work right away, but when used regularly they reduce symptoms caused by liver overload.

Diet for liver pain

The liver diet is an easily digestible diet with a higher content of easily digestible protein and limited animal fats. It should provide 25-35 kcal/kg/day of energy per day to support the work of the liver.

Is a life-threatening disease like cancer related to sugar?

The cells in our body use blood sugar (glucose) to get energy, while cancer cells in the body also use sugar.

But does sugar have anything to do with a disease like cancer? Let’s look for answers to the same questions that arise in the brain today.

Cancer cells use 200 times more sugar than normal cells and the main reason for this is that these cancer cells need more sugar to grow and these cells spread rapidly in the body using excess sugar.

But Dr Niranjan Naik, director of surgical oncology at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, India, says there is no strong evidence so far on whether sugar causes the spread of cancer or not, but there is an indirect link between sugar and cancer.

According to experts, taking excessive amounts of calories also increases the weight of a person rapidly and due to obesity, the risk of cancer and other diseases also increases in humans.

Experts from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute say, "Never think that consuming sugar causes cancer."

How does diet affect blood sugar levels?

One apple doctor and two apples daily must be protected from life-threatening disease!

He said that the real culprit is obesity because fat cells produce a protein that damages DNA that later turns into a tumor, obesity increases the risk of 13 types of cancer in humans, including breast, liver, and bowel cancer.

After smoking, the biggest cause of cancer is obesity, which everyone can easily control.

Apart from this, experts believe that there is no truth in the fact that cancer can be avoided by not using sugar, only one thing can save a person from cancer and that is the ‘lifestyle’ of the person and daily exercise because a healthy life can be lived by taking fewer calories.

Note: This information has been obtained from articles published in various global research journals. If you’re experiencing any medical issues related to or unrelated to it, see your doctor.

Consuming sugary drinks once a day increases risk of liver cancer: Study

Even the use of sugary drinks once a day on a daily basis significantly increases the risk of liver cancer.

This warning was revealed in a new medical study in the United States.

The study, from several universities, including the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, examined data from more than 90,000 women aged 59 to 79.

The data were compiled after reviewing the health of these women for 19 years and aimed to look at a possible relationship between consumption of sugary beverages and the risk of liver cancer.

The study found that women who drank only once a day had a 73 percent higher risk of liver cancer than others.

According to research, women who drink more than one drink a day have a 78 percent increased risk of liver cancer.

It should be noted that liver cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer in the world.

Researchers say that replacing sugary drinks with water and tea or coffee can significantly reduce the risk of a disease like liver cancer.

Research has shown that sugary drinks increase the risk of liver cancer than the sugar present in them.

Excessive sugar consumption reduces people’s sensitivity to the blood sugar-controlling hormone insulin, increases body weight, and increases the amount of fat around the liver.

All these elements cause damage to liver health and are linked to the risk of cancer.

Researchers said that more research is needed to understand this relationship because it is not yet clear whether sugary drinks directly cause liver cancer.

But the researchers said the results indicated that minimal consumption of sugary beverages could reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Symptoms of 6 life-threatening types of cancer that most people ignore

Cancer is the fastest-spreading disease around the world that causes millions of deaths each year, a new study highlights these symptoms of cancer.

There are several types of cancer, 6 of which are considered the most life-threatening.

Cancers in the lungs, liver, brain, esophagus, pancreas and stomach are considered the most deadly.

One of the main reasons for the rapid spread of cancer is discovered, the common habit by adopting which you can keep a disease like cancer away from yourself , know the easiest way to avoid disease like cancer, but most people suffering from these types of cancer know the disease very late because they ignore the symptoms of the disease.

A study by Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce suggests that ignoring the symptoms of life-threatening types of cancer can have devastating consequences.

In this study, 2,000 people were surveyed and found that only one percent of people were able to identify the symptoms of liver cancer, as well as 2 and 3 percent of people were able to identify the symptoms of esophageal and stomach cancer.

Researchers said that it is very worrying that most people are not aware of the common symptoms of cancer.

They added that early diagnosis of the disease increases the likelihood of treatment, so it is important that people know the symptoms of this disease and they can keep an eye on the changes in their body, even if the symptoms feel irrelevant, it is better to consult a doctor.

The study also talked about the symptoms that appear in people suffering from six types of cancer.

Symptoms of brain cancer include vision and speech problems, headaches, vomiting, nausea, seizures, mental and behavioral changes.

In people with liver cancer, symptoms such as unexpected decrease in body weight, loss of desire to eat, feeling sick, abdominal pain or swelling, jaundice, itching on the skin, fatigue, fever, bleeding in vomiting and dark color of urine are common.

People with lung cancer suffer from symptoms such as lung continuous cough, cough bleeding, chest pain, unexpected decrease in body weight, loss of desire to eat, shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness.

Problems in swallowing esophagus food, indigestion or heartburn, loss of desire to eat, vomiting, pain in the stomach, chest or back, persistent coughing, hearing loss, fatigue and shortness of breath are prominent symptoms of esophageal cancer.

The symptoms that people suffering from this type of pancreatic cancer face include back or stomach pain, loss of desire to eat, unexpected decrease in body weight, yellowing of skin color, jaundice, indigestion and intestinal problems.

Stomach indigestion that continues, heartburn, flatulence or feeling full at a little meal, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing food and unexpected decrease in body weight are notable symptoms of this cancer.