Hepat Health Dictionary

Hepat: From 1 Different Sources

(hepato-) combining form denoting the liver. Examples: hepatopexy (surgical fixation of); hepatorenal (relating to the liver and kidney).

Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Hepatic

Having to do with the liver... hepatic

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver; jaundice... hepatitis

Hepatomegaly

Enlargement of the liver... hepatomegaly

A primary malignant tumour of LIVER cells. It has marked geographical variation, being most common in parts of Africa and the Far East. It is more common in men and with those who have pre-existing CIRRHOSIS.... hepatoma

Hepatectomy

The operation for removal of the LIVER, or part of it.... hepatectomy

Hepatic Encephalopathy

A neuropsychiatric syndrome caused by disease of the LIVER, and occurring most often in patients with CIRRHOSIS – see also LIVER, DISEASES OF; it also occurs in acute form in acute failure of liver function. The disorder is believed to be the result of biochemical disturbance of brain function, because the condition is reversible and pathological changes in brain tissue are rarely found. The patient’s intellect, personality, emotions and consciousness are altered but neurological signs may or may not be identi?ed. Apathy, confusion, drowsiness, sometimes CONVULSIONS, speech disturbance and eventually COMA mark the progress of the condition. The principles of treatment are to remove the precipitating causes. These include: URAEMIA; sedative, antidepressant and hypnotic drugs; gastrointestinal bleeding; too much protein in the diet; infection; and trauma (including surgical operations).... hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatocyte

The main cell type present in the LIVER. A large cell, it has several important metabolic functions: these include synthesis and storage of biochemical products; detoxi?cation of poisons and unwanted substances; and the manufacture of BILE, the liver secretion that passes through the bile ducts to the small intestine and helps in the digestion of fat.... hepatocyte

Fasciola Hepatica

The common liver fluke. In tropical regions this species is replaced by F. gigantica. Like all trematodes, their intermediate hosts are aquatic snails. Infection occurs when the infective metacercariae are ingested on vegetation in swampy areas. Normal final (definitive) hosts are sheep, cattle and various wild animal species. Humans can acquire fascioliasis if they eat contamiated water cress etc.... fasciola hepatica

Halothane Hepatitis

A very rare form of HEPATITIS following exposure to HALOTHANE during anaesthesia (1:35,000 halothane anaesthetics). Jaundice develops three to four days after exposure and will occasionally develop into a fatal massive hepatic necrosis. It is of unknown aetiology but probably has an immunological basis. It is more common following multiple exposures in a short time (less than 28 days), and in obesity, middle age and females. It is rare in children.... halothane hepatitis

Hepatalgi A

Pain in the liver... hepatalgi a

Hepatitis Viruses

The most common causes of viral hepatitis are those caused by the Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G viruses. Hepatitis F virus has been described but is a doubtful entity. Other viruses which can cause hepatitis include the Epstein-Barr Virus, cytomegalovirus, and the Yellow Fever virus.... hepatitis viruses

Hepatocytes

A functional or parenchymal liver cell, specializing in enzyme synthesis.... hepatocytes

Hepatodynia

Pain in the liver... hepatodynia

Hepatolenticular Degeneration

See WILSON’S DISEASE.... hepatolenticular degeneration

Hepatopathy

Any disease of the liver... hepatopathy

Hepatosis

Downward displacement of the liver... hepatosis

Hepatozoon

A genus of tick-borne apicomplexan protozoa infecting a range of animal species including lizards and snakes but not humans.... hepatozoon

Arthritis – Of Infective Hepatitis

Inflammatory disease of a joint or joints may follow invasion of organism in infective hepatitis for which primary treatment would be directed to the liver.

See: INFECTIVE HEPATITIS.

Treatment. To include liver agents: Barberry, Fringe Tree, Balmony or Milk Thistle. ... arthritis – of infective hepatitis

Liver – Hepatitis A

The most common cause of inflammation of the liver from a virus known as Hepatitis A. May be caught by eating shellfish contaminated by sewage or polluted water. Distinct from alcohol and drugs. The virus is ingested in the mouth, grown in the intestines and passes out of the body on defecation.

Treatment. Same as for acute infectious hepatitis. ... liver – hepatitis a

Liver – Hepatitis C

Paul Bergner describes 4 cases of patients with chronic hepatitis C successfully treated. All were given Milk Thistle, and prescribed an alternative tea: equal parts, Burdock, Dandelion, Barberry, Liquorice, Cinnamon and Fennel. Chologogue action is important in chronic liver disease. Not used in acute inflammation. All patients felt better within 2 weeks, and had liver function tests at 3-monthly intervals, showing a gradual decline in elevated values until normal or almost so. All patients became symptom-free. (Medical Herbalism, Vol 6, No 4) ... liver – hepatitis c

Liver – Amoebic Hepatitis

Patients with amoebic dysentery may develop liver complications, usually by blood borne infection via the portal system. Small lesions coalesce to form abscesses capable of destroying liver cells.

Treatment: as for LIVER ABSCESS. ... liver – amoebic hepatitis

Liver – Acute Infectious Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver from virus infection. As the commonest form of liver disorder, it is often without jaundice or marked liver symptoms apart from general malaise and abdominal discomfort, ‘Gippy tummy’, ‘chill on the liver’. For feverishness, add a diaphoretic.

Treatment. Bitter herbs keep the bile fluid and flowing.

Alternatives. Teas. Agrimony, Lemon Balm, Boldo, Bogbean, Centuary, Dandelion, Hyssop, Motherwort, Wormwood, Yarrow.

Maria Treben. Equal parts: Bedstraw, Agrimony, Woodruff. 2 teaspoons to cup boiling water.

Cold tea: 2 teaspoons Barberry bark to each cup cold water. Infuse overnight. Half-1 cup freely. Tablets/capsules: Blue Flag. Dandelion. Wild Yam. Liquorice.

Formula. Equal parts: Turkey Rhubarb, Dandelion, Meadowsweet. Dose: Liquid Extracts: 1-2 teaspoons. Tinctures: 2-3 teaspoons. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). 3-4 times daily. Alfred Vogel. Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Artichoke.

Antonius Musa, physician to Emperor Augustus Caesar records: “Wood Betony preserves the liver and bodies of men from infectious diseases”.

Preventative: Garlic. (Old Chinese)

Milk Thistle: good responses observed.

General. Bedrest until motions are normal. Enema with any one of above herb teas.

Diet. Fat-free. Fasting period from 1-3 days on fruit juices and herb teas only. Artichokes. Dandelion coffee. Lecithin.

See: COCKROACH, The.

Treatment by or in liaison with a general medical practitioner. ... liver – acute infectious hepatitis

Liver – Hepatitis, Chronic

Term referring to hepatitis where the condition is the result of acute attacks of more than six months duration.

Causes: alcohol excess, drugs (Paracetamol prescribed for those who cannot tolerate aspirin), autoimmune disease, toxaemia, environmental poisons. Clinically latent forms are common from carbon monoxide poisoning. May lead to cirrhosis.

Symptoms. Jaundice, nausea and vomiting, inertia.

Treatment. Bile must be kept moving.

Alternatives:– Decoction. Formula. Milk Thistle 2; Yellow Dock 1; Boldo 1. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 20 minutes. Half-1 cup thrice daily.

Formula. Barberry bark 1; German Chamomile 2. Dose: Liquid Extracts: 2 teaspoons. Tinctures: 2-3 teaspoons. Powders: 750mg (three capsules or half a teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tablets/capsules. Blue Flag root. Goldenseal.

Astragalus. Popular liver tonic in Chinese medicine. A liver protective in chemotherapy.

Diet. Fat-free. Dandelion coffee. Artichokes. Lecithin.

Supplements. B-vitamins, B12, Zinc.

Treatment by or in liaison with a general medical practitioner. ... liver – hepatitis, chronic

Liver – Hepatitis B

Regarded as more serious than Hepatitis A. A main symptom is a flu-like illness followed by jaundice. Transmitted sexually, blood transfusion or by infected blood as from contaminated needles used by drug abusers. It is the first human virus to be identified with cancer in man. High mortality rate.

Symptoms: nausea and vomiting, fever, dark urine, loss of appetite, skin irritation, yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of eyes, weakness and fatigue.

Treatment. Internal. Silymarin (active principle of Milk Thistle) has been used with good responses. (R.L. Devault & W. Rosenbrook, (1973), Antibiotic Journal, 26;532)

Wormwood tea. 1-2 teaspoons herb to each cup boiling water in a covered vessel. Infuse 10-15 minutes: 1 cup thrice daily.

Formula. Equal parts: Balmony, Valerian, Wild Yam. Dose: Liquid Extracts: 1-2 teaspoons. Tinctures: 1- 3 teaspoons. Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon) thrice daily.

Astragalus. Popular liver protective used in Chinese medicine.

Phyllanthus amarus. Clinical trials on 78 carriers of the virus revealed that this plant effectively eliminated the virus from the body in 59 per cent of cases. Treatment consisted of 200mg dried powdered herb (whole plant minus the roots) in capsules, thrice daily for 30 days). (Thyagarajan, S.P., et al “Effect of Phyllanthus amarus on Chronic Carriers of Hepatitis B Virus.” The Lancet, Oct. 1988 2:764-766) External. Castor oil packs for two months.

Treatment by or in liaison with a general medical practitioner. ... liver – hepatitis b

Hepatectomy, Partial

Surgical removal of part of the liver.

Surgery may be needed to remove a damaged area of liver following injury, or to treat noncancerous liver tumours and hydatid disease.

Rarely, liver cancer is treated in this way.... hepatectomy, partial

Hepatectomy, Total

Surgical removal of the liver.

Hepatectomy is the 1st stage in a liver transplant operation.... hepatectomy, total

Hepatitis A

Also known as epidemic hepatitis, this disorder is caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is transmitted to people in contaminated food or drink.

The incubation period lasts for 15–40 days, after which nausea, fever and jaundice develop.

Recovery usually occurs within 3 weeks.

Serious complications are rare.

Active immunization provides the best protection against hepatitis A, and an attack can confer immunity.... hepatitis a

Hepatitis C

Caused by the hepatitis C virus and formerly known as non-A non-B hepatitis, this infection is often transmitted through sharing needles. Blood transfusions no longer pose a significant risk because of blood screening.

Hepatitis C has an incubation period of 6–12 months and begins as a mild illness which may go undetected. In about 3 in 4 patients, chronic hepatitis develops (see hepatitis, chronic), which can progress to cirrhosis of the liver and an increased risk of hepatoma.... hepatitis c

Hepatitis D

An infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis D virus, which occurs only in people who already have hepatitis B infection. People who develop hepatitis D will usually suffer from severe chronic liver disease.... hepatitis d

Hepatitis E

A type of hepatitis, caused by the hepatitis E virus, transmitted in contaminated food or drink. The disease is similar to hepatitis A.... hepatitis e

Hepatitis, Viral

Any type of hepatitis caused by a viral infection.

Five viruses that attack the liver as their primary target have been identified.

They cause hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E.... hepatitis, viral

Hepatitis, Acute

Short-term inflammation of the liver, which usually recovers in 1–2 months. In some cases, acute hepatitis may progress to chronic hepatitis (see hepatitis, chronic), but it rarely leads to acute liver failure.

Acute hepatitis is fairly common.

The most frequent cause is infection with one of the hepatitis viruses (see hepatitis, viral), but it can arise as a result of other infections such as cytomegalovirus infection or Legionnaires’ disease.

It may also occur as a result of overdose of halothane or paracetamol or exposure to toxic chemicals including alcohol (see liver disease, alcoholic).

Symptoms range from few and mild to severe with pain, fever, and jaundice.

Blood tests, including liver function tests, may be used for diagnosis.

In most cases of acute viral hepatitis, natural recovery occurs within a few weeks.

If the disorder is caused by exposure to a chemical or drug, detoxification using an antidote may be possible.

Intensive care may be required if the liver is badly damaged.

Rarely, a liver transplant is the only way of saving life.

In all cases, alcohol should be avoided.... hepatitis, acute

Hepatitis B

Formerly known as serum hepatitis, this disorder is due to the hepatitis B virus, which is transmitted in infected blood, blood products, or other body fluids, often through contact with needles, blood transfusions, or sexual contact. After an incubation period of 1–6 months, the onset of symptoms, such as headache, fever, and jaundice, is sudden. Most patients recover, but hepatitis B can be fatal. A vaccine is available.

In about 5 percent of cases, the virus continues to cause inflammation and can still be detected in the blood 6 months after infection. People who suffer from persistent infection are at long-term risk of liver cancer and cirrhosis and may be treated with interferon.... hepatitis b

Hepatitis, Chronic

Inflammation of the liver persisting for a prolonged period. Eventually, scar tissue forms and liver cirrhosis may develop.Chronic hepatitis may develop following an attack of acute hepatitis (see hepatitis, acute). It may also occur as the result of an autoimmune disorder, a viral infection (see hepatitis, viral), a reaction to certain types of drugs or, more rarely, to a metabolic disorder, such as haemochromatosis or Wilson’s disease.

Chronic hepatitis may cause slight tiredness or no symptoms at all.

It is diagnosed by liver biopsy.

Autoimmune hepatitis is treated with corticosteroid drugs and immunosuppressants.

Viral infections often respond to interferon.

In the drug-induced type, withdrawal of the medication can lead to recovery.

For metabolic disturbances, treatment depends on the underlying disorder.... hepatitis, chronic

Hepatalgia

n. pain in or over the liver. It is usually caused by stretching of the outer covering (capsule) of the liver due to infection (especially liver abscess), an enlarging liver tumour, or swelling (as in cardiac failure or *steatosis).... hepatalgia

Hepatic Duct

see bile duct.... hepatic duct

Hepatic Flexure

the bend in the *colon, just underneath the liver, where the ascending colon joins the transverse colon.... hepatic flexure

Hepaticostomy

n. a surgical operation in which a temporary or permanent opening is made into the hepatic duct, the main duct carrying bile from the liver.... hepaticostomy

Hepatic Vein

one of several short veins originating within the lobes of the liver as small branches, which unite to form the hepatic veins. These lead directly to the inferior vena cava, draining blood from the liver.... hepatic vein

Hepatization

n. the conversion of lung tissue, which normally holds air, into a solid liver-like mass during the course of acute lobar *pneumonia. In the early stages of lobar pneumonia, the lungs show red hepatization due to the presence of red and white blood cells in the alveolar spaces. As the disease progresses, the red cells are destroyed and phagocytosed, resulting in grey hepatization.... hepatization

Hepato

combining form. see hepat-.... hepato

Hepatoblastoma

n. a malignant tumour of the liver occurring in children, made up of embryonic liver cells. It is often confined to one lobe of the liver; such cases may be treated by a partial *hepatectomy.... hepatoblastoma

Hepatocellular

adj. relating to or affecting the cells of the liver.... hepatocellular

Hepatotoxic

adj. damaging or destroying liver cells. Certain drugs, such as *paracetamol, can cause liver damage at high doses or with prolonged use.... hepatotoxic

Serum Hepatitis

see hepatitis.... serum hepatitis

Hepatorenal Syndrome

impairment of renal function, which can occur in acute or chronic liver disease. The condition is associated with intrarenal vasoconstriction and extrarenal vasodilation and hypotension, and the kidney disease is functional rather than structural in nature. There are two common clinical presentations. An acute form (type 1) is characterized by rapid spontaneous deterioration in renal function against a background of acute liver failure, acute alcoholic hepatitis, or acute decompensation of chronic cirrhotic liver disease. A chronic form (type 2) is characterized by insidious onset and slowly progressive deterioration in renal function. This is most often observed in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The prognosis of hepatorenal syndrome is extremely poor, and the best hope of survival is usually with liver transplantation.... hepatorenal syndrome

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Hepat: From 1 Different Sources

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