Chronic Liver Disease
If you have been diagnosed with liver disease, it should be taken very seriously by you and your gastroenterologist. Unfortunately, liver disease can be a cause of morbidity and mortality. It affects people of all ages, but most liver disease is diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60 years. Most recently, liver disease has benefited from extensive medical research, resulting in major improvements in the survival and quality-of-life of patients.
In treating Liver Disease, our center utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach, which means that patients benefit from the combined expertise of physicians who have the knowledge, perspective and experience to address all aspects of your complete care.
We offer the most advanced diagnostic techniques and treatments for a wide range of liver diseases such as hepatitis (viral or autoimmune), primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
If a liver disease patient were to experience a complication or concern while under our care, they should contact us immediately, as our board certified, multidisciplinary team will be at their disposal. Our physicians are available at all times by email/phone if serious concerns arise.
More information about Liver Disease below:
The liver is a multifunctional organ. It is in charge of breaking down the large food elements to absorbable particles, making blood coagulation factors, storing and metabolizing lipids and proteins, activating and deactivating medications and metabolizing poisons. There are various types of liver disease such as hepatitis (viral or autoimmune), primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Let’s take a brief look at each of these.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis can be viral, autoimmune or drug induced. Viral hepatitis can be caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, G virus.
Hepatitis A and E are transmitted by contaminated food and water. They are ingested orally and the patients do not usually have symptoms for several weeks. The hepatitis A and E virus infection never causes cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Hepatitis B, C and D are transmitted from mother to child, sexual contact, blood transfusion, needle stick injuries and needle sharing. Hepatitis B and C may lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis C is one of the main causes for liver transplant in the United States. Patients with hepatitis B or C have various symptoms such as jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, malaise, weight loss and light colored stool. Blood tests will be used to first diagnose hepatitis. It is very important for patients diagnosed with hepatitis to manage their condition, as unmanaged hepatitis may lead to liver cancer.
You can prevent Hepatitis B by getting vaccinated. Unfortunately there is no vaccine for hepatitis C at this time.
Hepatitis G was once diagnosed, but there is no knowledge of any reported cases at this time.
Patients with liver disease require an expert multidisciplinary team to understand the condition and manage to achieve the best outcome. At GABH, our efforts are to slow, stop and treat the illness in order to achieve the best prognosis. Our doctors will provide the most recent therapies for their patients to treat their condition.
Our skilled doctors are specialists in taking care of patients with different liver diseases: Hepatitis (A, B, C, and D), autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy, portal hypertension, liver tumors and cancer, unexplained elevation in liver enzymes, congenital liver disease and end stage liver disease.
Due to the nature of liver disease, some patients need other types of medical care such as a nutritionist, dietitian, or social worker. Gastroenterology Associates of Beverly Hills is part of a multi-disciplinary team, and can offer all these needs for our patients within our office.
We know living with liver disease is a challenge. Our team is trained and dedicated to manage and cure liver disease in the best possible way.
Consistent communication is one of the most important keys in hepatitis management. Our physicians will sit with the patient and listen to concerns and answer any questions regarding this issue.
We offer the most advanced diagnostic techniques and treatments for a wide variety of gastroenterological conditions. We also offer a full range of diagnostic procedures, as well as medical, surgical and minimally invasive treatment options to meet the individual needs of patients with gastroenterological conditions of any kind. Contact us if you are experiencing gastrointestinal issues that have not yet been addressed by our physicians.