Liver Diseases

Liver damage can occur due to different diseases. Due to these damages in time, the destruction of the normal structure of the liver and its replacement by nodule and fibrosis structures are defined as cirrhosis. The only treatment for this irreversible damage to the liver is liver transplantation. Currently, cirrhosis is one of the most common diseases that REQUIRE liver transplantation, GLOBALLY. In addition, some congenital diseases and tumors of the liver also benefit from liver transplantation. Liver cirrhosis is one of the most important causes of loss of life in many regions of the world and in our country. While the high alcohol consumption in Western Europe and North America is the main cause of the disease, viral hepatitis, which is an important public health problem in many other parts of the world, ranks first in the causes of cirrhosis. In our country, the main cause of liver cirrhosis is known as viral hepatitis.

In the case of end-stage liver failure, all or some of the following 
symptoms may be seen:

• Low-grade fever
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Edema 
• Spontaneous nose bleeding or gingival bleeding 
• Rashes and bruises on the skin 
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle cramps 
• Weakness, fatigue, infirmity Itching Breasts grow (gynecomastia in men)
• Decrease in hair and disturbance
• Sexual behavior changes and anorexia 
• Weight loss or gain 
• Hypotension

Liver Tests

It can be checked with many special blood tests whether the liver functions properly or not. These tests can also be distinctive between acute and chronic liver diseases, and hepatitis and cholestasis (biliary obstruction).

What Are The Jobs Of The Liver?

The liver is the largest organ in our body with a weight of 1.4-1.7 kg, soft, reddish-brown, triangular shape.

The main functions of the liver are as follows:

• It transforms your diet into nutrients that your body can use. (for example, it converts galactose to glucose, produces bile for digestion of fats.)
• It produces blood clotting factors, enzymes and other proteins. It stores energy sources such as iron, vitamins, fat, glycogen.
• It clears toxic substances such as drugs and alcohol that may be harmful to our body.

Regeneration Of Liver

More than half of the liver can be removed from the donor for organ transplantation without impaired liver function or other serious damage. The liver is the only organ in the body that can regenerate itself EVEN after most of it is removed. The liver, some of which is removed, reaches its normal size between 7 days TO 3 months. Most of the regeneration process takes place within the first week. Thanks to this feature, half of the liver removed from the donor can be successfully transplanted to patients with liver failure.