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Suggest Treatment To Control Progression Of Liver Disease
Question: is there any medication that can slow down or halt the progression of liver disease
Brief Answer:
The medicine may depend upon the cause
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Liver diseases are of various types and the medicine to limit progression (if possible), depends upon the cause. It can be:
1. Infective viral hepatitis like Hepatitis A and E that manifest with jaundice. Simple rest and bland diet for a month or should be enough to cure the condition. Cholestatic agents are often advocated but they often have no role.
2. Hepatitis B and C are liver infections that spread through blood or sexual route. These are untreatable conditions but can be kept under control using certain medications like antivirals and interferons to limit disease activity and progression.
3. Alcoholic fatty liver disease- Here the damage has already occurred and the liver cells have already been replaced by non functional scar tissue. Hence all that is left is what you have. No medicine will help you grow the lost cells. Limiting alcohol intake can save the rest.
4. Non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Usually it occurs due to conditions like diabetes. Medicines to control diabetes need to be given to limit the progression.
5. Obstructive jaundice and conditions like stones. Cholestatic agents and bile salts have a role to play but surgery might be required.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
The medicine may depend upon the cause
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Liver diseases are of various types and the medicine to limit progression (if possible), depends upon the cause. It can be:
1. Infective viral hepatitis like Hepatitis A and E that manifest with jaundice. Simple rest and bland diet for a month or should be enough to cure the condition. Cholestatic agents are often advocated but they often have no role.
2. Hepatitis B and C are liver infections that spread through blood or sexual route. These are untreatable conditions but can be kept under control using certain medications like antivirals and interferons to limit disease activity and progression.
3. Alcoholic fatty liver disease- Here the damage has already occurred and the liver cells have already been replaced by non functional scar tissue. Hence all that is left is what you have. No medicine will help you grow the lost cells. Limiting alcohol intake can save the rest.
4. Non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Usually it occurs due to conditions like diabetes. Medicines to control diabetes need to be given to limit the progression.
5. Obstructive jaundice and conditions like stones. Cholestatic agents and bile salts have a role to play but surgery might be required.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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