Hepatomegaly is a condition where the liver enlarges beyond its normal size. This condition is a sign that there has been a disturbance in the liver. Hepatomegaly can cause symptom in the form of feeling bloated, enlarged stomach, until the appearance of jaundice.
The liver is the largest organ in the body. The liver functions to rid the body of harmful substances, digests fat with the help of bile, and stores sugar in the form of glycogen.
Causes of Hepatomegaly
Hepatomegaly can be caused by disease of the liver or other organs related to the liver. The following are some diseases or conditions that can cause hepatomegaly:
- Hepatitis or inflammation of the liver, due to infection with the hepatitis virus
- Liver abscess or liver cyst
- Alcohol-induced fatty liver disease or NASH (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
- Tumors, liver cancer, or cancer metastases from other organs to the liver
- Blood disorders or diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, or hemolytic anemia
- Disorders or diseases of the gallbladder and its ducts, including: primary biliary cirrhosis or cholangitis
- Heart disease, such as congestive heart failure
- Genetic disorders, such as Wilson's disease
- Disorders of hepatic venous blood flow, such as Budd-Chiari Syndrome
- Effects of using drugs or exposure to certain chemicals
Hepatomegaly can affect anyone. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of suffering from hepatomegaly, namely:
- Having alcohol addiction
- Using drugs indiscriminately or excessive doses
- Taking herbal supplements made from black cohosh, ephedra, or valerian plants
- Suffering from an autoimmune disease, infectious disease, or obesity
Symptoms of Hepatomegaly
Normally, in healthy adults, the liver measures about 13.5–14.5 cm. When the liver is enlarged, various symptoms and complaints can arise. Generally, complaints and symptoms will begin to appear when the liver is very enlarged. Symptoms that can arise are as follows:
- Discomfort in the upper right abdominal area
- Feeling full in the stomach
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach that looks enlarged
- Muscle ache
- Weak
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Yellowish skin and eyes or jaundice
In addition, other symptoms can also arise according to the underlying disease hepatomegaly. For example, if the hepatomegaly is due to an infection of the liver, fever and abdominal pain may occur. If caused by heart failure, tightness, chest pain and swelling in the legs may appear.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience the symptoms and complaints mentioned above. Early examination is needed to determine the underlying cause of hepatomegaly.
If you suffer from a disease or condition that can cause or trigger hepatomegaly, do regular check-ups with your doctor to get treatment and prevent hepatomegaly.
Immediately see a doctor if the symptoms mentioned above get worse, especially accompanied by vomiting blood, bloody stools, or shortness of breath. Prompt help is needed to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Diagnosis of Hepatomegaly
The doctor will ask questions about complaints, medications being used, and the patient's medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a thorough examination, including checking for changes in skin color to become more yellow and an enlarged abdomen that could indicate hepatomegaly.
To diagnose hepatomegaly and determine the underlying cause, the doctor will perform investigations, such as:
- Blood tests, to see levels of enzymes that describe liver function, the presence or absence of infection, and identify anemia
- CT scan and MRI, to see the condition, shape, and size of the liver more clearly
- Liver biopsy, to detect the presence or absence of abnormal cell or tissue growth, including tumors and cancer of the liver
- Abdominal ultrasound, to identify any enlargement of the liver and organs around the liver
Hepatomegaly Treatment
The goal of treatment for hepatomegaly is to treat the underlying cause and relieve symptoms. Treatment will be tailored to the cause.
Some of the methods of treatment that will be carried out by doctors to treat heaptomegaly are:
- Administration of drugs, such as antiviral drugs to treat hepatitis caused by viral infections
- Administration of chemotherapy drugs, radiotherapy, or surgery, to treat hepatomegaly caused by cancer
- Drug discontinuation or replacement, if hepatomegaly is caused by the use of certain drugs
In addition, doctors will advise sufferers to change their lifestyle for the better in several ways, such as:
- Stopping the habit of consuming alcoholic beverages
- Eat a nutritionally balanced diet
- Doing exercise regularly
- Maintain ideal body weight
Complications and Dangers of Hepatomegaly
Hepatomegaly is a sign of disorders of the liver or other organs associated with the liver. Complications that arise depend on the underlying cause of hepatomegaly. Some conditions that can occur if the cause of hepatomegaly is not treated properly are:
- Cirrhosis
- Heart cancer
- heart failure
- Portal hypertension
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Sepsis
Hepatomegaly Prevention
Prevention of hepatomegaly can be done by preventing diseases that can cause this condition. The best way to prevent liver problems and other health problems is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, namely by:
- Eat a balanced and nutritious diet, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages
- Do not use any drugs and always follow the dosage recommended by the doctor
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Exercise regularly
- Do not smoke