Hepatology

The medical specialty focusing on diseases of the liver and related conditions

The liver is the second-largest organ in the human body and helps digest food, remove poisons, and store energy. About one in ten Americans will have some liver disease and nearly 5.5 million Americans live with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. Alcohol abuse and non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the common cause of liver disease worldwide. Fatty liver disease has become a major health concern in the United States as many patients carry risk factors of metabolic syndrome including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus DM, and obesity. Early treatment is crucial when liver disease is detected as it can help heal the damage and prevent the liver from failing. 

Our Hepatology Services clinical staff specializes in preventing, evaluating, diagnosing, managing, and treating all types of liver diseases. We offer services from consultations to antiviral treatments and more. We have significant experience diagnosing and treating most forms of liver cancer and disease individualized for each patient or resident. 

The causes of liver disease may include:

• Diseases caused by poisons, drugs, or too much alcohol
• Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
• Diseases caused by viruses, such as hepatitis A, B, and C
• Inherited diseases, including hemochromatosis & Wilson Disease
• Liver cancer

While the symptoms of liver disease may vary, and sometimes there are even no symptoms, here are some of the more common issues people with liver disease face:

• Easily bruising and bleeding
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Abdominal distension and leg swelling with fluids
• Changes in the color of urine and stool
• Jaundice – yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Confusion and forgetfulness
• Chronic fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting

Some of the liver diseases treated at the Medical Center include:

• Cirrhosis
• Hepatitis A, B, and C
• Alcoholic Liver Disease
• Fatty Liver Disease
• Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH)
• Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)
• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
• Complications of Portal Hypertension such as ascites, varices, and encephalopathy
• Cancer of the liver and bile duct
• Biliary Atresia
• Wilson Disease
• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Some of the diagnostic tests available through our Hepatology Services include:

• Chronic liver disease blood testing
• Hepatobiliary imaging with an ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI
• Hepatic Elastography
• Endoscopic procedures for patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension