The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. It weighs nearly 3 pounds and is located on the right side of the upper abdomen. It is a reddish-brown color, has a rubbery texture, and is protected under the rib cage.
The liver is located close to the gallbladder, pancreas, and small intestine. These organs all work together to help the body digest food, absorbing nutrients while expelling toxins.
The main job of the liver is to filter blood from the digestive tract before it returns to the rest of the body. The liver detoxifies chemicals and converts them into harmless substances the body can use or expel. Your liver metabolizes drugs and secretes bile back to the intestines, as well as produces proteins important for the clotting of blood and other functions.
Jobs of the Liver
The tissues of the liver are comprised of several smaller groupings of cells called lobules. When blood from the digestive system reaches the liver it carries nutrients, medication, and toxic substances. Upon reaching the liver these substances are processed, stored, altered, and detoxified before being released back into the bloodstream or routed to the bowel for elimination.
The liver produces proteins crucial for blood clotting, and also breaks down old or damaged blood cells. The liver is the center of metabolic processing such as with its production of bile to break down fats consumed for energy. Another function the liver performs is storing glucose thus helping to maintain blood glucose levels.
To metabolize proteins, the liver changes amino acids into nutrients the body can process. This process creates ammonia, which is changed into urea, then transported to the kidneys and expelled as urine.
Damage to the Liver
Liver damage happens over time, especially due to illnesses like hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and genetic factors. When the liver becomes scarred, it is called cirrhosis, and it can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition.
One telltale symptom of a liver problem is jaundice – a dead giveaway based on the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Other signs and symptoms of liver problems include:
- Pain and swelling of the abdomen
- Swollen legs and ankles
- Urine that appears extremely dark-colored and has a strong odor
- Chronic fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dramatic changes in your stool, with it being either extremely pale or mixed with the presence of blood.
Conditions That Cause Liver Damage
Hepatitis A, B, and C are liver infections caused by viruses.
Certain autoimmune disorders can also damage the liver, including sclerosing cholangitis and biliary cirrhosis.
Other serious liver conditions are caused by chronic alcohol abuse, sharing infected needles when injecting drugs, and the buildup of fatty deposits in the liver called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
A strong, healthy liver is a vital component of a person’s health. It is responsible for numerous bodily functions. It plays a critical role in digestion, processing nutrients in the bloodstream, producing proteins important to blood clotting, and the breaking down and filtering out of every toxic substance a person ingests.
If you or someone you know has any of the diseases that affect the liver, or if you think your liver’s health might be compromised, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The liver is a vital organ and not something you can safely ignore. Contact Austin Gastroenterology by calling the location nearest you, or request an appointment now.
