What Is The Function Of The Liver ?
The liver is the largest solid organ in the body. It removes toxins from the body’s blood supply, maintains healthy blood sugar levels, regulates blood clotting, and performs hundreds of other vital functions.
Liver Functions :
The liver is a multitasking powerhouse, performing numerous critical functions that are essential for maintaining health. Some key functions of the liver include:
Metabolism : The liver metabolizes nutrients from food, converting them into energy sources or storing them for future use.
Detoxification : It filters toxins and harmful substances from the bloodstream, helping to purify the blood and eliminate waste products.
Protein Synthesis : The liver produces proteins essential for blood clotting, immune function, and maintaining fluid balance in the body.
Bile Production : It produces bile, a digestive fluid necessary for the breakdown and absorption of fats in the intestine.
Storage : The liver stores vitamins, minerals, and glucose for use when needed, helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
Common Liver Diseases :
Despite its remarkable resilience, the liver is susceptible to various diseases and conditions that can impair its function and lead to serious health complications. Some common liver diseases include:
Hepatitis : Inflammation of the liver, often caused by viral infections (such as hepatitis A, B, or C), excessive alcohol consumption, or autoimmune disorders.
Cirrhosis : A progressive scarring of the liver tissue, usually resulting from long-term liver damage caused by conditions like chronic hepatitis or alcohol abuse
Disease (NAFLD) : A buildup of fat in the liver, often associated with obesity, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome.
Liver Cancer : Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) or metastatic liver cancer (cancer that spreads to the liver from other parts of the body).
Liver Failure : A severe deterioration of liver function, which can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (developing over time).
Surgical Treatments for Liver Diseases :
In many cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to treat liver diseases and restore optimal liver function. Some common surgical treatments include:
Liver Resection : Surgical removal of a portion of the liver affected by tumors, cysts, or other abnormalities. This procedure aims to remove the diseased tissue while preserving the healthy liver tissue.
Liver Transplantation : A surgical procedure to replace a diseased or failing liver with a healthy liver from a deceased or living donor. Liver transplantation is often recommended for advanced liver diseases such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, or acute liver failure.
Surgical Drainage Procedures : Surgical placement of drainage tubes or shunts to alleviate fluid buildup (ascites) or pressure within the liver (portal hypertension) caused by certain liver diseases.
Tumor Ablation : Minimally invasive procedures such as radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation to destroy liver tumors using heat energy, often as an alternative to surgery for small tumors.