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Liver Transplantation: Eligibility, Benefits and Risks

Apr 18th, 2024

Archive for the ‘ Liver Disease ’ Category

Liver Transplantation: Eligibility, Benefits and Risks

Thursday, April 18th, 2024

The liver is a critical organ in the human body that is responsible for an array of functions that help support metabolism, detoxification, immunity, digestion, vitamin storage, etc. Liver transplantation emerges as a lifeline for those grappling with end-stage liver disease, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of dire circumstances. In India, live donor transplants constitute a significant majority, highlighting the critical need for this life-saving procedure. Following kidney transplantation, liver transplants rank as the second most common major organ transplant in the country. This article aims to spread awareness about the eligibility criteria, potential benefits, and associated risks with this procedure.

Types of Liver Transplant

  • Living Donor Transplantation
    This procedure involves transplanting a portion of a living donor’s liver to a recipient suffering from end-stage liver disease. Donors, whether related or unrelated, ideally possess compatible blood types with the recipient.
  • Deceased Donor Liver Transplant
    Deceased donation offers a vital option for patients with end-stage liver disease who lack alternatives for survival. Organs harvested from deceased donors provide hope for recipients awaiting suitable matches.

Liver Transplant Eligibility

The journey towards liver transplantation begins with rigorous eligibility assessments for the donor as well the recipient. These include:

Eligibility Criteria for Recipients

  • Signs of liver failure or primary liver cancer
  • Signs of end-stage liver disease
  • Overall physical and mental health conducive to surgery and recovery
  • Absence of factors indicating future alcohol or drug abuse

Eligibility Criteria for Living Donors

  • The donor could be spouse, siblings, mother or children
  • Good Physical and Mental Health
  • Compatible Blood type with the recipients
  • Age between 15 and 55
  • No history of Hepatitis, HIV or cancer
  • No History of Excessive Alcohol use

Benefits of Liver Transplant

Liver transplantation offers a multitude of benefits to the recipients, including:

  • Enhanced life expectancy, as the procedure replaces a diseased liver with a healthy one, fostering immediate improvement.
  • Improved health over time, as the new liver assumes its functions, leading to gradual recovery.
  • Elevated quality of life, enabling recipients to partake in activities previously restricted by illness.
  • Reduced dependence on medications and treatments post-transplantation, as the new liver functions optimally.

Risks of Liver Transplant

Despite its transformative potential, liver transplantation carries inherent risks, including:

  • Infections, which can affect the transplanted organ or other organs, posing a threat to overall health
  • Bleeding during surgery, which, though rare, can be life-threatening
  • Rejection of the new liver by the body’s immune system, jeopardizing the success of the transplant
  • Complications from anesthesia, such as nausea, vomiting, and headaches, which may arise during surgery
  • Long-term side effects of immunosuppressant medications, including an increased susceptibility to infections and the development of complications in other organs

Liver transplantation represents a remarkable feat of medical science, offering renewed hope and vitality to those facing the challenges of end-stage liver disease. While eligibility criteria, benefits, and risks vary, the decision to undergo transplantation is a collaborative effort between patients, hepatologists, transplant surgeons and other specialists guided by the shared goal of restoring health and extending life.

Liver Transplant at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Our Centre for Transplant is a state-of-the-art comprehensive liver transplant centre in Western India with an expertise of successful completion of over 283 transplants in the past. The comprehensive liver transplant programme helps in transplanting livers both from living donors and cadavers and is equipped with dedicated Liver Transplant Operation Theatres (OT) and a dedicated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as well as a team of experienced liver transplant specialists. Please find below our website for further details:

https://kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_transplant/livertransplantationunit.html

All you need to know about Fatty Liver disease

Wednesday, April 19th, 2023

Did you know? Medical experts suggest that fatty liver disease is at the core of most liver disorders including liver cancer in India, contributing to the total disease burden of the country. In India, one in three people, or 30% of the population, have fatty liver disease. Among its many other crucial functions, the liver is an organ that removes toxins from the blood, aids in digestion by producing bile, and controls energy levels. Let us understand the key factors behind this condition, the symptoms, precautions and treatment options regarding fatty liver disease in this blog.

Fatty liver disease is a medical condition in which fat builds up in the liver, leading to inflammation and damage. There are two main types of fatty liver disease that include alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). AFLD occurs due to excessive alcohol consumption, while NAFLD occurs in individuals who do not consume alcohol but have unhealthy lifestyle habits. Research suggests that certain health conditions or diseases, your family history, diet and the digestive system may make you more likely to develop NAFLD.

Risk Factors for Fatty Liver Disease

There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing fatty liver disease. The most common risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Other risk factors include rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and certain medications. Rising rates of obesity in India and around the world are projected to make NAFLD even more common in the coming years. Medical research suggests that ninety percent of people with two or more metabolic risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and unhealthy levels of fats in the blood may have NAFLD. The condition is becoming increasingly prevalent in children and young adults which is a disturbing fact.

Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease

In the early stages, fatty liver disease may not cause any symptoms. With the progressing condition, you may notice the below common symptoms that need further care and attention:

  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Jaundice
  • Swelling in the abdomen and legs
  • Mental confusion

Consult a hepatologist for further assistance and diagnosis; do not delay seeking medical care.

Keeping your Liver healthy

Your liver performs essential functions every day. Just like many other parts of the body, fat can build up in your liver. This may damage the liver and lead to serious health problems. It’s normal to have some fat in your liver cells, but excess fat can interfere with your liver’s normal functioning. Here are some ways to keep your liver healthy:

  • Say no to alcohol
  • Make sure that none of your medications are toxic
  • Get vaccinated to protect against hepatitis
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Follow a healthy diet
  • Engage in regular exercise
  • Control existing health conditions
  • Treat liver cirrhosis

Fatty Liver Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai

Treatment for fatty liver disease involves lifestyle changes such as losing weight, following a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise. These changes can help reduce the amount of fat in the liver and improve liver function. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to manage the underlying causes of fatty liver disease, such as diabetes or high cholesterol. Fatty liver disease is a serious medical condition that can lead to liver damage and other health complications. If you are experiencing any symptoms or have concerns about fatty liver disease, consult experts at our Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery for further treatment and care. Please find below website link for further details: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/hepatopancreatobiliary.html

Liver Health – How to Keep Your Liver Healthy?

Tuesday, April 19th, 2022

Every year, roughly 10 lakh new individuals with liver cirrhosis are diagnosed in India. As per the World Health Organization, liver disease is the tenth leading cause of mortality in India. Statistics suggest that the number of people with liver problems has doubled in the last decade, leading to a requirement of more 50,000 livers for transplantation each year.

The liver is the body’s largest solid organ. It eliminates pollutants from the bloodstream, regulates blood clotting, and conducts other vital functions. Hepatitis, fatty liver disease, autoimmune conditions, genetic conditions, liver cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer are some of the common liver ailments that needs medical attention.

Symptoms of Liver Disease
Liver disease may not always show prominent signs and symptoms. If you notice any of the below signs and symptoms of liver disease do seek further medical care:

  • Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice).
  • Dark urine colour.
  • Pale stool colour.
  • Swelling in the legs and ankles.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Abdominal pain and swelling.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Tendency to bruise easily.

Speak to your family doctor if you notice persistent signs of a liver disease.

Functions of the Liver
The liver is a critical organ that performs over 500 important functions in the body. Here are some of its most important functions:

  • Albumin production: This is a protein that keeps fluids in the bloodstream from leaking into surrounding tissue. It also carries hormones, vitamins, and enzymes through the body.
  • Bile production: This fluid is critical to the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine.
  • Filters blood: The liver filters all blood leaving the stomach and intestines, removing toxins, by products, and other dangerous compounds.
  • Regulates amino acids: The liver maintains a healthy level of amino acids in the bloodstream that is required for production of proteins.
  • Prevents infections: The liver filters blood and removes bacteria from the bloodstream. 
  • Stores nutrients: The liver stores significant amounts of vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, as well as iron and copper.
  • Processes glucose: The liver removes excess glucose from the bloodstream and stores it as glycogen.

Ways to Keep your Liver Healthy
The liver is one of the body’s largest and most vital organs. Having an unhealthy liver can lead to various liver ailments and metabolic disorders. Follow these tips in your daily life to maintain your liver health:

  • Avoid alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol intake can damage the liver cells and lead to inflammation and scarring (cirrhosis).
  • Exercise regularly. Exercise decreases stress on the liver, increases energy levels and helps to prevent obesity – a risk factor for liver disease.
  • Eat healthy meals. High levels of fat in the blood and high levels of cholesterol are common causes of fatty liver disease. Reduce the amount of saturated fats, trans fats and hydrogenated fats in your diet.
  • Fight obesity. Obesity, particularly, abdominal or central obesity, is a major risk factor for developing fatty liver disease. Aim for the ideal body mass index (BMI) target.
  • Protect yourself against Hepatitis B or C. Practice safe sex and avoid unnecessary sharing of personal items to prevent the spread of hepatitis B or C.
  • Quit smoking. Exposure to tobacco smoke can have toxic effects on your liver.
  • Get vaccinated. If you’re at increased risk of contracting hepatitis talk to your doctor about getting the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines.
  • Use medications wisely. Take medicines only when prescribed and as per the recommended doses.
  • Protect yourself from toxins. Use a mask or gloves while handling insecticides, fungicides, paint and other toxic chemicals. Keep the area well-ventilated to avoid inhaling the fumes.

Treatment for Liver Disease at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Liver diseases can affect your ability to filter out toxins, break down fat and make vital proteins. The Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery specialises in a wide range of acute and chronic conditions affecting the liver, pancreas and the associated biliary system and is supported by the latest technology for the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease.

Consult our team of hepatologists who are skilled at diagnosing and treating all conditions that affect your liver. Please find below website for further details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/hepatopancreatobiliary.html

How to keep your liver healthy

Monday, April 19th, 2021

According to the World Health Organization, liver disease is the tenth leading cause of death in India. It is the next big lifestyle condition that could affect one out of every five Indians. Did you know? Even a single episode of binge drinking can have serious consequences and may damage your liver cells. Alcohol is responsible for four out of every five deaths due to liver disease. Increases awareness, early detection and treatment helps stop the progression of a liver disease.

Functions of the Liver

The liver controls the majority of chemical levels in the blood and excretes bile. This aids in the removal of waste products from the liver. The liver filters all of the blood that leaves the stomach and intestines. The liver processes this blood and breaks down, balances, and creates the nutrients and also metabolizes drugs into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body. The liver performs above 500 vital functions of the body, some include:

  • Regulates your supply of body fuel
  • Regulates the balance of hormones
  • Regulates your supply of essential vitamins and minerals
  • Production of cholesterol and special proteins
  • Processing of haemoglobin
  • Clearing the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances
  • Regulating blood clotting
  • Resisting infections by strengthening your immune system

Common Liver Diseases

Different things lead to serious liver conditions. Here are some of the most common liver infections that need awareness:

1. Hepatitis – This is an infectious disease that inflames your liver. Viral hepatitis is the most common cause, including:

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C

2. Alcoholic liver disease – This disease is a result of overconsumption of alcohol that damages the liver, leading to a build-up of fats, inflammation, and scarring. It can be fatal.

3. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease  – This occurs when too much fat has built up inside your liver. The extra fat can inflame your liver, causing swelling and may damage your liver cells. Over time it may scar your liver and lead to cirrhosis.

4. Cirrhosis of the Liver – It is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. Over time, this disorder inhibits the liver from working properly.

5. Liver Cancer – If cancer shows up in your liver, that’s most likely because it has spread from another part of your body, like your lungs, colon, or breasts or may have started in the liver.

6. Acute liver failure – This happens when you don’t have long-term liver disease but your liver quits working within a very short time – days or weeks. It may happen because of an overdose of certain medications, or drugs, or any other toxic infection.

Essential tips for a Healthy liver

Your liver can come under attack by viruses, toxic substances, contaminants, and diseases. Here are some healthcare tips to maintain a healthy liver:

1. Eat healthy – Eat a healthy diet that is low in refined sugars, processed foods, sweets, sodas, and refined carbohydrates. Choose fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods instead.

2. Exercise regularly – Exercise at least five times a week for at least 30 minutes each time as it helps to clear toxins from your system.

3. Say “No” to alcohol: Regular or heavy alcohol use can lead to permanent liver damage, as well as other health problems.

4. Practice safe sex – Unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners increases your risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Practice safer sex by using a condom.

5. Avoid supplements – A well-balanced diet is much safer than adding additional nutrients into your system. Some dietary supplements and herbal medicines are linked to liver damage.

6. Avoid toxins – Toxins can injure liver cells by inhalation, ingestion, or physical contact. Use cleaning agents and aerosol products, insecticides, and other chemicals with caution. Quit smoking.

7. Get vaccinated – There are vaccines available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

8. Painkiller use: Overuse of over-the-counter pain relievers have potentially harmful side effects on your liver health. Always follow dosage instructions, never mix your medication with alcohol, and take medications under a doctor’s supervision.

Management of Liver diseases at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

The Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases with cutting-edge technology. Our various divisions provide prompt treatment and medical intervention as and when appropriate, from infectious hepatitis to fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Our highly skilled surgeons are experienced in both open and minimally invasive procedures for complex liver disorders. For further information please visit:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/hepatopancreatobiliary.html