Udiliv.Liver is the largest organ in the body. The liver continuously produces a chemical known as bile. This substance helps break down fats into energy that the body requires. Bile also helps to carry away the waste products during digestion. From digestion and blood filtration to fat breakdown and protein production, the liver is a vital organ in the human body.

Various liver disorders

There are different types of liver disorders or diseases that may occur due to inherited conditions, infections, medications, obesity, alcohol, narcotics, etc. Here are some of them.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)

• Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, also known as Primary Biliary Cholangitis is an auto-immune condition that results in progressive destruction of the bile ducts.
• The bile ducts present in the liver slowly become inflamed and destroyed.
• The inflammation of the liver causes bile duct inflammation and damage and scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis), ultimately leading to liver failure.
• Being an autoimmune disorder, the immune system of the body attacks the healthy liver tissue.
• There is a T-lymphocyte mediated attack on the small intra-lobular bile ducts.
• The loss of intra-lobular bile ducts results in cholestasis, ultimately resulting in cirrhosis or liver failure.
• Women are 10 times more vulnerable and likely to develop PBC than men.
• Primary Biliary Cirrhosis affects bile ducts inside the liver.

Causes

Primary biliary cirrhosis is caused when the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks the bile ducts. It is commonly associated with:

• Hypothyroidism
• CREST syndrome
• Raynaud’s phenomenon

Symptoms

The symptoms of primary biliary cirrhosis vary from one individual to another. These may be mild to severe. Some of these include:

• Excessive fatigue
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
• Indigestion
• Poor appetite and loss of weight
• Fatty deposition under the skin
• Nausea and pain the belly
• Hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin)
• Dry eyes and mouth
• Enlarged abdomen due to fluid accumulation
• Itchy skin
• Swollen feet and hands
• High cholesterol levels
• Loss of bone density

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis is possible with:

• Abdominal ultrasound or CT scan to find out bile duct obstruction.
• Elevated alkaline phosphatases
• Anti-mitochondrial antibodies
• Xanthelasma (hypercholesterolemia)

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)

• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis is a rare chronic and progressive liver disease characterized by inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts, leading to them becoming narrow or being blocked.
• PSC liver disease prevents bile from draining into the gallbladder, resulting in accumulation in the liver, leading to further damage.
• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis causes chronic inflammation and scarring of the liver tissue.
• This eventually reduces the bile flow through the ducts affecting the normal functioning of the liver.
• Restriction of bile flow and it build up in the liver causes progressive liver damage.
• PSC is generally diagnosed between the ages 30-40.
• Liver damage tends to occur 10-15 years after diagnosis.
• PSC can affect individuals of all ages.
• 60 percent women and 40 percent men are likely to develop PSC.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis affects bile ducts both inside and outside the liver.

Causes

The exact cause of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis is known. However, this liver disorder may arises due to one or a combination of the factors mentioned below:

Genetic factors

Genetic factors where the body’s immune system fails to differentiate between the body’s own proteins and foreign proteins.

Environmental factors

Exposure to various microbes like bacteria and viruses and toxins may trigger the immune system to attack the bile ducts.

Autoimmune disease

PSC may be caused due to an autoimmune condition in which the immune system of the body attacks the healthy tissues.

Symptoms

The symptoms of PSC include:

• Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
• Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)
• Jaundice
• Fatigue
• Pruritus
• Abdominal pain
• Severe itching
• Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis is possible with:

• Diagnostic imaging such as MRCP and ERCP
• Liver function tests (LFTs)
• Liver biopsy

Cholesterol-based gallstones

• Cholesterol gallstones are a type of gallstones that are formed due to crystallization of excess cholesterol in bile.
• These cholesterol-based gallstones are yellow-green in colour.
• They are made of undissolved cholesterol. However, it may contain other components as well.

Causes

Cholesterol-based gallstones are caused due to imbalance bile composition or improper gall bladder emptying.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cholesterol-based gallstones are:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever or chills
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Pain in upper right abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating and indigestion
• Yellowing of eyes and skin (jaundice)
• Abdominal cramps and swelling
• Dark-coloured urine

Diagnosis

Cholesterol-based gallstones can be diagnosed with the following tests:

• Imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan, endoscopic ultrasound, ERCP,  MRCP, cholescintigraphy, HIDA scan
• Laboratory tests such as blood tests, cholesterol tests, etc.

Udiliv – An effective hepatoprotective medicine to treat liver disorders

• Udiliv 300 is an effective medication (tablet) used to manage liver disorders such as primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and dissolve cholesterol-based gallstones.
• The active ingredient present in Udiliv is Ursodeoxycholic acid, which is a naturally occurring bile acid in the liver.
• Udiliv 300 functions by reducing the cholesterol production and dissolving the cholesterol present in bile, thus preventing the formation of gallstones.
• It also helps dissolve gallstones that are rich in cholesterol,
• In addition, Udiliv improves bile flow in primary biliary cirrhosis.
• It minimizes cholesterol absorption from the intestines and protects hepatocytes from damage caused due to toxic bile acids.
• It also enhances liver functioning.

Being a vital organ of the body, the liver needs to be protected from damage and infection. One needs to maintain healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, avoid alcohol consumption, take proper medications, and get medical care to maintain a healthy liver.