DISEASES OF THE LIVER AND GALL BLADDER
The liver is an absolutely indispensable organ. Its complete removal or destruction is followed by death in a very short time. However, it has been estimated that more than 80 per cent can be damaged or destroyed before symptoms of liver insufficiency will appear.
The gall bladder, on the other hand, can be removed completely without harm to the body. When it has been removed, the bile flows directly into the intestines. Even though the gall bladder may not be essential, the bile is needed, to help in the digestion of food. Furthermore, the liver removes some of the waste products from the bloodstream and disposes of them in the bile. If the liver becomes diseased, the bile may then pile up in the bloodstream, causing the eyes and skin to become yellow. This yellowing is termed jaundice.
A particular type of liver disease that causes jaundice is the result of a virus infection of the liver. This disease, called infectious hepatitis or viral hepatitis, attacks young people chiefly.
In addition to jaundice, another symptom of liver disease may be a gradual, unexplained enlargement of the abdomen. Vomiting blood or passing bloody or black, tarlike stools is also a symptom of liver disease. Other symptoms include fatigue, loss of weight, nausea and poor appetite, anaemia, and haemorrhoids. All are warnings that should send you to the doctor for an examination.
Ailments of this important organ can develop from a number of causes, including virus infections, nutritional deficiencies (sometimes connected with alcoholism), diseases of the gall bladder, and injuries due to exposure to chemicals.
Puncture wounds, such as those caused by stabbing or a fall on a pointed object, must be operated upon immediately. The liver may be injured by a blunt impact, such as a flying tackle in football or falling against the handlebars of a bicycle. Anyone having an abdominal pain after an injury of this kind should see a doctor at once.
Cirrhosis is a scarring of the liver. Its symptoms are the same as those of the other liver diseases that I have just described.
Diseases of the gall bladder
People are inclined to minimize gall bladder diseases, particularly women, who are apt to have mild gall bladder disturbances. They tend to take a casual attitude towards what can be a killer.
Acute inflammation of the gall bladder (acute cholecystitis)
When the gall bladder is acutely inflamed, the symptoms are generally extremely severe. There are acute pain and tenderness in the right upper part of the abdomen in the region of the gall bladder, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, and prostration. Such a condition requires immediate attention, preferably in a hospital.
Gallstones
We do not understand why stones form in the gall bladder. They are definitely associated with obesity and pregnancy; women are more apt to be troubled by them than are men. They lead to symptoms of vague discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen. There may be dyspepsia, nausea, an intolerance to fatty foods, and slight jaundice.
Other potentially serious diseases of the liver and gall bladder
In addition to the diseases just described, there are others that can impair or destroy the liver. Infections such as abscesses may form in or around it. These may be caused by bacteria or by the organism that causes amoebic dysentery. Many persons with this type of dysentery develop liver abscess, which, fortunately, can be successfully treated.
Cancer may arise as a primary neoplasm in the liver, or it may develop there as a secondary metastasis from a cancer of the stomach or some other part of the body. The gall bladder is subject to primary cancer. Syphilis may affect the liver.
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