What Are The Symptoms Of Psoriasis Of The Liver

Who Is At Risk For Liver Disease

NAFLD and NASH have been linked to obesity and associated with metabolic syndrome as the most common cause.5 Obesity in the US has doubled in the last decade, and health care providers are seeing a steady rise in fatty liver disease. Although children and young adults can get fatty liver disease, it is most common in middle age adults.

Risk factors include:

• Having high blood fat levels, either triglycerides or LDL cholesterol
• Having diabetes or prediabetes
• Having high blood pressure.

Typically, fatty liver disease causes no symptoms. The first clue can show up in routine liver blood tests, and if elevated, should lead to further investigation. Imaging studies, like a regular ultrasound, could show that the liver has fat deposits. Some imaging tests or MRI elastography scans can help diagnose the disease and identify how much scar tissue is present in the liver. But the only way to be certain that fatty liver disease is the only cause of liver damage is by ruling out other potential causes with careful history taking and chronic liver disease blood work. A liver biopsy might be needed, however the non-invasive scans have led to the decrease in liver biopsies over the years as technology has improved greatly. If a liver biopsy is needed, a gastroenterologist or hepatologist should determine if the procedure is necessary.

What Can I Do To Reduce My Risk Of Fatty Liver Disease

Reducing risk factors for metabolic disease and liver disease is likely the best approach to minimize the risk of NAFLD. For individuals who are overweight, weight loss is an important step for preventing and treating NAFLD. Clinical research studies have shown that even a 5 percent weight loss can improve NAFLD. Your doctor or a nutritionist can help you get started on a diet and exercise plan that works for you.

Controlling alcohol intake is another approach to reduce the risk of liver disease. The liver removes molecules that can harm the body, including alcohol. Limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption can help reduce stress on the liver.

Consuming coffee and caffeine may also help protect your liver, research suggests. A review of studies showed that people diagnosed with NAFLD or NASH who drank caffeinated coffee regularly had lower levels of liver fibrosis.

People with NAFLD who have low levels of vitamin D may benefit from vitamin D supplements.

Is There A Cure For Cirrhosis Of The Liver

No, there is no cure for cirrhosis. The damage already done to your liver is permanent. However, depending on the underlying cause of your cirrhosis, there may be actions you can take to keep your cirrhosis from getting worse. These actions include:

• Stop drinking alcohol.
• Treat chronic hepatitis .
• Avoid medications that stress the liver.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced, low-fat diet, such as the Mediterranean diet.

Follow other tips listed under the Prevention section in this article.

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When Should I Call 911 Or Go To The Emergency Room

If you have cirrhosis and experience the following, call 911:

• Your poop are black and tarry or contain blood .
• You are vomiting blood.
• You have muscle tremors or shakiness.
• You are confused, irritable, disoriented, sleepy, forgetful or foggy.
• You have a change in your level of consciousness or alertness you pass out.

Liver Cirrhosis And Fatty Liver

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver. It now affects about 20 per cent of Australians. It is becoming more common in children who are overweight or obese.

NAFLD is associated with conditions such as:

• obesity 20 per cent of people with obesity have fatty liver disease
• high blood cholesterol and triglycerides
• type 2 diabetes.

NAFLD can lead to inflammation of the liver and the formation of scar tissue, a condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis , which can then lead to cirrhosis of the liver. NASH usually occurs in people who are obese, have diabetes or have high blood cholesterol and triglycerides, so controlling these conditions is recommended.People with NASH have a higher risk of liver damage if they have hepatitis C. The effect of alcohol is debated, but it is probably not recommended if there is significant liver scarring present.

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How Does Gynecomastia Affect My Body

Gynecomastia can be seen as a button-sized growth underneath the nipple. You may be able to see this as a breast lump or feel it when you press on the area. The lump may move easily within the breast tissue and may be tender to touch. Breast lumps and breast enlargement may occur in one or both breasts.

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*Did you know that Clinical LiverSupport can help reduce fat accumulation in your liver?

2) Alcoholic fatty liver disease The earliest stage of alcohol-related liver disease, ALD occurs because heavy drinking damages your liver, impairing its ability to metabolize fats. Assuming the damage has not progressed to cirrhosis of the liver, abstaining from alcohol may allow your fatty liver to subside.

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What Is Liver Psoriasis

Just like psoriasis of the skin destroys healthy skin cells, psoriasis of the liver replaces healthy liver cells with scar tissue. This condition is known as cirrhosis of the liver. It is a progressive disease and if not treated properly, it can cause the liver to stop functioning altogether.

The condition becomes serious when scar tissues completely replace healthy liver tissues and cells. It leads to a blockage of blood flow through the liver, which can lead to serious health complications.

What Are The Symptoms Of Psoriasis

The signs and symptoms of psoriasis can vary depending on the type of psoriasis you have. The 5 most common symptoms of psoriasis include:

• Rashes or patches of red, inflamed skin, often covered with loose, silver-colored scales in severe cases, the plaques will grow and merge into one another, covering large areas.
• Itchy, painful skin that can crack or bleed
• Small areas of bleeding where the involved skin is scratched
• Problems with your fingernails and toenails, including discoloration and pitting the nails may also begin to crumble or detach from the nail bed.
• Scaly plaques on the scalp

Psoriasis can also be associated with psoriatic arthritis, which causes achy, swollen joints. Between 10% and 30% of people with psoriasis also have this painful joint condition.

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What Is Unexplained Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss is a noticeable drop in body weight that occurs even if the person is not trying to lose weight. The weight loss does not come about because of diet, exercise or lifestyle changes. Weight loss of 10 pounds or more, or five percent of body weight, over a period of 6 to 12 months is considered unexplained.

Unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of a serious condition or illness. For this reason, it is important to seek medical attention if you have weight loss that cannot be explained.

Possible To Get Rid Of The Problem

The best way to get rid of this disease is by making your immune system stronger. You have to eat different types of nutritious food so that your immune setup becomes stronger which in turn can help you to get rid of the problems caused by psoriasis.

Even at home, it is possible to get rid of the problem to a great extent.

• One way to prevent psoriasis is by avoiding hot tubs, saunas, pool baths, and similar hot spots.
• Sit in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes every day to help relieve Psoriasis.
• Use Vaseline 2 to 3 times a day.
• T-oil should be used
• Take care drinking alcohol gently and Avoid smoking completely
• Apple cider vinegar is an anti-bacterial.
• Raw papaya.
• Ingredients in raw papaya help to cure the infection.
• If you want to use some natural treatment for psoriasis, the experts recommend eating as many as possible vegetables and fruits such as carrot juice, lima beans, and lots of fruits and green vegetables.
• All of these ingredients can help prevent dehydration by compensating for dehydration and removing heat from the liver.

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Foods High In Added Sugar

Added sugars in soda, fruit juices, candy, baked goods and other sweets are different from natural sugars in food such as fruit. Our bodies produce insulin to process sugar, but too much added sugar forces our bodies to store that extra energy in fat cells and inflame the fat tissue. Foods with lots of added sugars can also lead to increased levels of inflammatory proteins called cytokines. Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners such as aspartame may also lead to chronic inflammation.

Types Of Fatty Liver Disease

There are two primary types of fatty liver disease: non-alcoholic and alcoholic.

1) Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Although experts do not yet fully understand NAFLD, this condition develops when your liver has difficulty breaking down fats.

Factors known to contribute to NAFLD include:

• obesity
• metabolic syndrome
• genetics

When in the early stage of NAFLD, healthy lifestyle modifications that include good nutrition and regular exercise can reverse fatty liver.

If enough fat accumulates in your liver* that is not due to alcohol consumption, serious liver damage can result. Any type of serious, chronic damage to your liver can result in cirrhosis, which is the end stage of chronic liver disease.

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Hepatic Effects Of Systemic Psoriasis Treatments

Given the strong pathophysiological links between psoriasis and NAFLD and the high prevalence of NAFLD among psoriasis patients, dermatologists should always screen for possible liver disease in their psoriasis patients. A good understanding of the potential hepatic effects of systemic treatments prescribed for patients with psoriasis would also be clinically important. NAFLD-promoting drugs should be avoided, especially in high-risk patients. On the other hand, systemic therapies that reduce systemic inflammation may have a positive influence and mitigate the risk of developing NAFLD. Below, we summarize hepatotoxic and potential hepatoprotective effects of currently approved systemic psoriasis therapies with a focus on NAFLD.

When To See A Doctor

You should tell your doctor if you have psoriasis and also drink alcohol. Your doctor can best advise you on whether there is a safe amount that you can drink or not depending on your treatment.

If youre depressed because of your psoriasis or for any other reason, you should contact your doctor immediately. You should also talk to your doctor if you think you might be drinking excessive amounts of alcohol due to depression or other reasons. Your doctor can help find treatment plans that can help both your depression as well as any excessive use of alcohol.

There are three primary ways to treat psoriasis flares:

• Topical treatments include corticosteroid lotions, vitamin D creams, and solutions.
• Light therapy also known as photo therapy uses ultraviolet light, which may be artificial or natural.
• Medications include injections and ones taken orally. Some of the most common are:
• retinoids

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Treating And Managing The Effects Of Cirrhosis

Another aspect of treatment is to deal with the complications of cirrhosis as early as possible. For this reason your doctor may suggest you have regular tests to identify problems even before you notice any symptoms. You may also be given other drugs to reduce blood pressure, to prevent and treat infections and to help support your bodys functions.

Other Causes Of Liver Cirrhosis

A number of other medical conditions that result in liver damage can cause cirrhosis, including:

• some autoimmune diseases certain types of cells of the immune system attack and damage the liver. These uncommon conditions that can cause liver cirrhosis include autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis .
• exposure to poisons can damage the liver because one of the livers main roles is to remove toxins from the blood. Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins such as arsenic can damage the liver and lead to cirrhosis.
• schistosomiasis a tropical disease caused by a parasitic worm called Schistosoma. The worm is passed to humans from snails, and the disease is also known as bilharziasis. Chronic schistosomiasis causes damage to internal organs including the liver
• certain medications in rare cases, may cause cirrhosis in susceptible people
• unknown conditions can cause cirrhosis in about one third of cases .

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How Is Cirrhosis Of The Liver Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will first ask about your medical history and over-the-counter and prescription drug use. They will also ask about any supplements or herbal products you may take. Your provider may suspect you have cirrhosis if you have a long history of alcohol abuse, injectable drug abuse or have had hepatitis B or C and have the symptoms listed in this article.

To diagnosis cirrhosis, your provider will perform a physical exam and may order one or more of the following tests:

• Physical exam: Your doctor will examine you, looking for the signs and symptoms of cirrhosis including: the red, spider-like blood vessels on your skin yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes bruises on your skin redness on your palms swelling, tenderness or pain in your abdomen enlarged firmer-feeling, bumpy texture to the lower edge of your liver .
• Blood tests: If your doctor suspects cirrhosis, your blood will be checked for signs of liver disease. Signs of liver damage include:
• Lower than normal levels of albumin and blood clotting factors .
• Raised levels of liver enzymes .
• Higher level of iron .
• Presence of autoantibodies .
• Raised bilirubin level .
• High white blood cell count .
• High creatinine level .
• Lower levels of sodium .
• Raised level of alpha-fetoprotein .

In addition, other blood work will include a complete blood count to look for signs of infection and anemia caused by internal bleeding and a viral hepatitis test to check for hepatitis B or C.

How Is Unexplained Weight Loss Treated

Unexplained weight loss is treated by identifying the underlying condition . If no underlying condition is identified right away, your doctor may recommend a wait-and-see approach, along with a special diet.

For instance, your doctor may recommend that you use nutrition shakes to get more calories, or add flavor enhancers to your food to improve the taste so that you eat more. You may be also be referred to a dietitian for advice and counseling.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/31/2018.

References

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Treatment For Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Complications

Patients suspected of having spontaneous bacterial peritonitis usually will undergo paracentesis. The fluid that is removed is examined for white blood cells and cultured for bacteria. Culturing involves inoculating a sample of the ascites into a bottle of nutrient-rich fluid that encourages the growth of bacteria, thus facilitating the identification of even small numbers of bacteria. Blood and urine samples also are often obtained for culturing because many patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis also will have infections in their blood and urine. Many doctors believe the infection may have begun in the blood and the urine and spread to the ascitic fluid to cause spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Most patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis are hospitalized and treated with intravenous antibiotics such as cefotaxime . Patients usually treated with antibiotics include:

• Ascites fluid cultures that contain bacteria.
• Patients without bacteria in their blood, urine, and ascitic fluid but who have elevated numbers of white blood cells in the ascitic fluid . Elevated neutrophil numbers in ascitic fluid often mean there is a bacterial infection. Doctors believe the lack of bacteria with culturing in some patients with increased neutrophils is due either to a very small number of bacteria or ineffective culturing techniques.

What Are The Complications Of Cirrhosis

There are many complications of cirrhosis of the liver. Because cirrhosis develops over many years, some of these complications may be your first noticeable signs and symptoms of the disease.

Portal hypertension: This is the most common serious complication. Portal hypertension is an increase in the pressure in your portal vein . This increase in pressure is caused by a blockage of blood flow through your liver as a result of cirrhosis. When blood flow through veins is partially blocked, veins in your esophagus, stomach or intestines can become enlarged . As the pressure in these veins builds, the veins can bleed or even burst, causing severe internal bleeding.

Additional complications of portal hypertension include:

• Swelling in your legs, ankles or feet.
• Buildup of fluids in your abdomen .
• Swelling/enlargement of your spleen .
• Formation and dilation of blood vessels in the lungs , leading to low levels of oxygen in the blood and body and shortness of breath.
• Failure of kidney function as a result of having portal hypertension as a complication of cirrhosis . This is a type of kidney failure.
• Confusion, difficulty thinking, changes in your behavior, even coma. This occur when toxins from your intestines arent removed by your damaged liver and circulate in the bloodstream and buildup in your brain .

Hypersplenism: Hypersplenism is an overactive spleen. This condition causes quick and premature destruction of blood cells.

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Fumaric Acid Esters Including Dimethyl Fumarate

DMF, and its active metabolite monomethylfumarate , are of particular interest in the context of this review due to their unique multiple mechanisms of action .102,103,105,116,117 These include immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms that are potentially advantageous in psoriatic patients with comorbid NAFLD . 116 For example, DMF/MMF regulates cellular responses to oxidative stress by modulating intracellular glutathione levels.102 DMF/MMF also reduces oxidative stress through activation of Nrf2 which stimulates cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory factors such as HO-1 103,106,116 and through inhibiting genes regulated by the transcription factor HIF-1 and STAT3/STAT1 pathways.116 MMF is an agonist for hydroxy-carboxylic acid receptor 2 which inhibits neutrophil adhesion and recruitment by COX-1 and PGE2 .116 Fumaric acid esters significantly reduced total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein B levels in a prospective trial involving psoriasis patients.96 In animal models, DMF has shown potential to ameliorate acetaminophen-induced hepatic injury in mice,107 as well as liver ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.104 Improvement of liver function and anti-oxidant status might prove to be a promising treatment approach in patients with psoriasis and comorbid NAFLD.