In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of liver diseases among people of working age. Every year, more than one million people around the world fall ill with them, and often the pathology is detected at a stage when it is not completely possible to cure it. A modern person does not always have time to visit a doctor and a full-fledged timely examination. That is why everyone needs to know how to check the liver at home quickly, this will allow you to recognize the disease at an early stage.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of liver diseases
Symptoms
Symptoms of diseases are not always easy to recognize even for an experienced doctor. And of course, not everyone knows how to recognize liver disease. Liver diseases have a number of characteristic features:
- Decreased appetite.
- Increased fatigue.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Pain in the right hypochondrium.
- Enlargement of the abdomen.
- Increased bleeding.
- Digestive disorders.
- Poor general health.
- Problems with the hormonal background.
Pain and bruising
The gland itself does not have pain receptors, so pain occurs due to the tension of its capsule, when the organ increases in size or inflammation spreads to its fibrous membrane. The pain is localized in the right hypochondrium, but in some cases it can be diffuse. The nature can be varied - from a feeling of discomfort to sharp pain attacks. The increase can be determined by palpation of the abdomen. Due to its enlarged size, its lower edge will extend beyond the right costal arch, which will be noticeable on palpation. Most often this occurs with cirrhosis or acute infectious diseases, when other symptoms prevail over the pain syndrome.
Bruising occurs due to the inhibition of the functions of hepatocytes, as a result of which the process of hemostasis is disrupted, the walls of blood vessels weaken. Bruises and hematomas occur even with the slightest bruise, slight pressure and in a dream. Stopping the bleeding becomes difficult even with a small cut. Wounds and scratches do not heal for a long time and periodically bleed.
visual signs
One of the most characteristic signs of the pathology of this organ is a change in the color and turgor of the skin. Due to the fact that fat metabolism is disturbed, the skin becomes dry, flabby, various peelings appear, and there is a tendency to allergic rashes, such as dermatitis and eczema. In addition, spider veins, foci of hyperpigmentation are observed on the body. The appearance of a man acquires feminine features - fat is deposited on the hips, the arms become thinner, the mammary glands increase, and the hairline becomes impoverished.
How to check the liver at home
Be sure to pay attention to the appearance of brown spots on the face.
Not everyone knows how to properly check the liver at home. Many people believe that the function of this organ can only be examined in a hospital. However, carrying out simple procedures at home can be quite informative in order to suspect this disease in the human body.
To check the health of the liver, it is necessary to conduct an examination of the skin. You need to examine your skin visually, evaluate its color, elasticity, moisture, and the presence of allergic foci. Inspection should begin with the face, then go down. On the face, be sure to pay attention to the appearance of brown spots, deep wrinkles between the eyebrows, swelling, dark circles under the eyes. On the upper limbs, it is necessary to pay attention to the axillary region - is there darkening of the skin, thinning of the hairline.
The work of the liver at home can be checked for the presence of darkening of the skin, which is most often localized on the elbows, knees and back of the hands. Incorrect organ function is indicated by bright red spots on the palmar surfaces of the hands.
The fact that the liver is sick can be indicated at home by the severity of the venous network on the abdomen. If the gland is unhealthy, then the veins are very pronounced and bulge above the surface of the skin. Another sign of the disease is an increase in the volume of the abdomen in a relatively short period of time, a feeling of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which will also be noticeable on palpation.
Hepatic purpura can have a different appearance and localization - from the smallest multiple pale pink spots to massive bright red foci. Most often localized on the lower extremities.
Tests at home
Special test strips will help check the condition of the liver at home
How to determine if the liver is healthy with a test? Special test strips will help check the condition of the liver at home. Their principle of action is similar to a pregnancy test. In this test, the strip must be placed in a container with urine for a certain time. Special substances are applied to the strip, which react to the increased content of certain pigments in the urine (bilirubin, urobilinogen). When interacting with them, the strip changes its color. If the level of these elements is normal, then the reaction does not occur. This is a very simple and affordable way to find out if the liver is healthy at home.
Palpation
Palpation of the gland allows you to determine its size, density and structure. Normally, the lower edge of the organ does not extend beyond the costal arch. It should be sharp or slightly rounded, soft, painless and quite mobile. The structure of a healthy organ is even, smooth, without seals.
- If there is pain on palpation in combination with a rounded edge, then this is a sign of an inflammatory process. This often occurs with viral hepatitis.
- A bumpy, dense, uneven edge indicates echinococcosis or syphilis. Tubercles in this case are echinococcal blisters or syphilitic hard chancres.
- A very dense structure of the gland is observed in cancerous lesions of the organ.
- A hard edge combined with tuberosity indicates cirrhosis. In this case, tuberosity is formed due to fibrous degeneration and violation of the lobular structure of the gland.
Who treats and what tests need to be taken
Many do not know which specialist to contact if a pathology of this organ is suspected. If you have complaints and symptoms, you should contact a therapist who will prescribe basic tests and instrumental studies. This pathology is treated by a gastroenterologist or hepatologist. If the disease has an infectious etiology, then the infectious disease specialist deals with this patient. If cancer is diagnosed, then an oncologist takes over the treatment. Depending on the characteristics of the disease, its course and complications, it may be necessary to consult other specialists.
The necessary minimum of analyzes and studies to evaluate the work of the gland are:
- Complete blood count - anemia can often be observed;
- General and biochemical analysis of urine - albumin, bilirubin, urobilinogen;
- Biochemical screening:
- AST and ALT are indicators of liver cell death. The more this indicator exceeds the norm, the more hepatocytes are destroyed;
- Bilirubin is a component of bile, which, in the pathology of an organ, enters the bloodstream as a result of the destruction of hepatocytes, which gives the skin a yellow color;
- Prothrombin index - an indicator of blood clotting, which decreases with liver failure;
- Proteinogram - to assess the indicators of blood proteins;
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) - allows you to assess the structure and size of the body and the presence in it of any pathological formations (cysts, tumors);
If more detailed diagnosis is necessary, the doctor may prescribe additional studies:
- Biopsy - allows you to identify violations at the cellular level of the lesion. It is rarely used due to the risk of complications.
- MRI is the safest and most painless procedure that allows you to study the structure of an organ in detail.
Video
Symptoms of liver disease.
An online liver test will help determine the first symptoms of the disease and abnormalities in the liver. On average, between 3 and 4 million people in Germany suffer from liver disease, and this number is growing every year. Many people are unaware of their illness, although they could have prevented the development of serious consequences for their liver. In the early stages, almost all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are reversible and easily treated. For the timely detection and treatment of liver diseases, German gastroenterologists advise to undergo regular
The Liver Center at the Ludwig Maximilian University Hospital (University Hospital Munich), together with the Bavarian Ministry for the Environment and Health, the Association of Physicians and Pharmacists and the General Local Health Insurance Company of Bavaria, offer patients who are concerned about the appearance of certain symptoms to start take an online liver health test.
What is a liver test?
With this Liver Health and Risk of Liver Disease Test, you can check the overall health of the liver as well as identify symptoms that are similar to hepatological. The Liver Health Test was developed based on the identified factors that directly or indirectly affect the health of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. The purpose of the questions is to draw attention to the signs of liver dysfunction and at the same time encourage a healthy lifestyle.
However, this short online liver health test cannot replace the advice of a gastroenterologist and an appropriate examination. If you have some concerns about the state of your body as a whole, or there are suspicions of liver disease. Conversely, even when the score is not high, the possibility of liver disease in this way cannot be completely ruled out. If there are doubts about the results of the test, the guarantee of your health will be an appeal to a gastroenterologist in order to
Order a callback on our website, and we will explain the procedure for contacting German clinics in order to undergo an examination and make an accurate diagnosis.
Liver test online
An immutable rule of medicine says: the sooner treatment is started, the greater the chances of its success. In this sense, the treatment of the liver is associated with significant difficulties, since at the initial stages of the development of hepatic pathology (except in cases of acute severe damage), there are no pronounced symptoms. The asymptomatic course of a disease not detected in time can lead to the stabilization of its more complex (chronic) form, which is much worse treatable.
Such mild symptoms as fatigue, loss of appetite, bitterness in the mouth, discomfort in the right hypochondrium, may either not attract attention at all, or be misinterpreted. When nausea, yellowing of the skin and sclera, darkening of urine come, this indicates a far advanced liver disease, which will not be easy to treat.
Number connection test
In front of you is a Number Connection Test. The test is performed to detect hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that occurs when the liver malfunctions and is associated with an increase in the internal toxin, ammonia, in the blood. Ammonia depresses the nervous system and damages liver cells. This test is one of the indirect methods for checking the detoxification function of the liver. If the liver cannot cope with the cleansing function, toxins can accumulate in the body, incl. ammonia.
Mechanics: connect the numbers from 1 to 25 in sequence by clicking on them with the mouse for a limited time - 40 seconds. It is not recommended to take the test in a state of fatigue, because. this may worsen the result.
Start test
You passed the test!
You managed to connect all the numbers and we can say that your concentration and reaction speed are in order, which may mean that the level of ammonia (an internal toxin that is excreted by a healthy liver) is normal. However, if you are experiencing any symptoms related to the liver (for example, heaviness or pain in the right hypochondrium, yellowing of the eyes or skin, belching with a bitter aftertaste, constant feeling of weakness and fatigue, sleep disturbance), please do not delay your visit. to a general practitioner and/or gastroenterologist. Reduce the level of elevated ammonia, improve concentration, restore energy to liver cells and improve metabolism can help Hepa-Merz in granules!
You almost made it!
You connected most of the numbers, but did not complete the test 100%. The results can either indicate that you were tired during the test, or indicate an increase in the concentration of ammonia in the blood due to impaired liver function. We recommend that you take the test again in a few days, preferably at the weekend, in the absence of factors that cause excessive fatigue. If this result recurs, you should consult a doctor for a liver examination (perform an analysis to determine the activity of liver enzymes ALT, AST, GGTP, and, if possible, perform an analysis for the level of ammonia in the blood). Reduce the level of elevated ammonia, improve concentration, restore energy to liver cells and improve metabolism can help Hepa-Merz in granules!
You didn't make it!
You connected less than 85% of the numbers in 40 seconds. The result can indicate both excessive fatigue and disruption of the liver and an increase in the level of ammonia (internal toxin) in the body. Ammonia negatively affects the nervous system, which manifests itself in impaired concentration, absent-mindedness, drowsiness, and nervousness. If you fail to perform this test again after a few days, and / or if you notice the symptoms listed above, please contact your general practitioner and / or gastroenterologist for a liver examination (perform an analysis to determine the activity of liver enzymes ALT, AST , GGTP, and, if possible, test for the level of ammonia in the blood). Don't delay your visit to the doctor! Liver dysfunction is often asymptomatic! Reduce the level of elevated ammonia, improve concentration, restore energy to liver cells and improve metabolism can help Hepa-Merz in granules!
Test for general diagnosis of the liver
We offer you a simple liver diagnostic test that will help you decide whether to see a doctor for early detection of liver disease. Read and mark if you agree with the following statements.
If you agree with at least 15 statements, this may be a reason to see a doctor and carry out diagnostic measures.
How to check the liver if there is a suspicion of a serious disease of this most important organ? Problems with the liver can go unnoticed for a long time, since there are no nerve endings in its tissues and the pain syndrome manifests itself already in the last stages of the lesion, when the organ increases in size, deforms and begins to put pressure on its own shell (glisson capsule).
Today we’ll talk about how to check the condition of the liver, what tests you need to take for this, and what alarming symptoms to pay attention to in order to seek medical help in a timely manner.
Common signs of liver problems
The liver is the main filter of our body. This is the largest gland, which plays an important role in the processes of digestion and metabolism, is responsible for cleansing the blood of allergens, toxic and poisonous compounds, is a kind of “depot” in which glycogen, vitamins, microelements are stored, which are necessary to provide the body with energy. The list of its functions includes the neutralization and removal of excess hormones and vitamins from the body, the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, the synthesis of cholesterol, lipids, bilirubin, as well as bile and other hormones and enzymes involved in the digestion process.
In recent years, physicians have noted with alarm a significant increase in diseases associated with the liver. Most often, fatty hepatosis, toxic and alcoholic lesions are diagnosed, the development of which leads to malnutrition, bad habits, and an unhealthy lifestyle.
If the liver functions are disturbed, the volume of toxins and other harmful substances in the blood increases, and the body literally begins to poison itself. Against the background of intoxication, the general state of health worsens and characteristic complaints appear.
Symptoms
How to check if the liver is healthy, and what symptoms should alert and become a reason to see a doctor?
- Jaundice of the skin and sclera. It is observed due to an excess of bilirubin in the blood. This pigment is formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin, then destroyed and excreted from the body by the liver. In large volumes, birirubin is toxic, and if it is not neutralized and accumulates, this is direct evidence that the liver cannot cope with its functions.
- Discomfort and feeling of heaviness in the right side. These symptoms become more pronounced after a heavy feast with alcohol, eating fatty, spicy or fried foods. In the future, dull pulling pains appear, which is a direct sign of liver damage.
- Digestive problems. With liver pathologies, bile production is disrupted, which leads to poor digestion and absorption of food, intestinal irritation, and stool disorder (constipation or diarrhea). This changes the color of the feces, it becomes discolored and the amount of urine excreted.
- Constant bitterness in the mouth, lack of appetite, nausea. White or yellowish coating on the tongue, the appearance of an unpleasant sweetish "liver" smell.
- Unexplained weakness, drowsiness, increased fatigue.
- Irritability, sleep disturbance (insomnia), depression.
- Bleeding gums, the appearance of hematomas and spider veins on the skin.
- An increase in the volume of the abdomen. The symptom occurs with severe liver damage, while the patient's stomach swells, but there is no weight gain. A venous pattern appears on the skin in the navel.
- Rashes, skin itching. The skin becomes excessively dry, irritated, constantly flaky, itchy. The feeling of itching usually increases in the evening, symptoms of dermatitis appear, and allergic reactions occur more often.
If you notice several of the above symptoms, you should be examined and treated as soon as possible. Which doctor checks the liver, and which specialist should be contacted at the initial stage?
First you need to sign up. He must examine the patient, listen to his complaints and collect the necessary anamnesis. To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a series of laboratory and instrumental studies. Based on the results of diagnostic procedures, a final diagnosis is made and the patient is referred to narrow specialists - a doctor - a hepatologist (a specialist in hepatic pathologies), a surgeon, an infectious disease specialist or an oncologist.
What tests should be taken to check the liver?
The fastest and easiest way to detect damage to liver tissue is a biochemical blood test. What does this research provide? Blood biochemistry helps to identify several characteristic indicators that indicate a violation of the functions of the most important organ:
- The level of liver enzymes AST and ALT. Their increase indicates the destruction of hepatocytes and may be a sign of hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer. The higher the score, the more damaged the organ.
- Bilirubin. An increase in its level suggests that bilirubin is not excreted from the body, but accumulates in the blood, which leads to obstructive jaundice and may be a sign of serious liver problems.
- Albumen. A protein made by the liver. With cirrhosis and other damage to liver cells, its level in the blood decreases.
- alkaline phosphatase. An increase in the level of this enzyme may indicate the development of a tumor process in the liver.
In addition, they do a blood test for markers of viral hepatitis, take blood for a general analysis. To check the liver and pancreas, they conduct an analysis for enzyme activity, determine the level of gamma globulin and bilirubin, examine feces, blood and urine.
Diagnostic methods
The best time for sampling is in the morning, you need to donate blood on an empty stomach. One day before donating blood for analysis, you must stop drinking alcohol. A number of instrumental studies will help to more accurately see the clinical picture of the disease:
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the liver. This is a completely painless and safe procedure that allows you to determine the size of the liver, the presence of a tumor or cyst, to clarify the degree of damage to its tissues. The procedure does not require special preparation. However, a day before it is necessary to refrain from eating foods that cause increased gas formation in the intestines.
- Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The most modern and informative research methods that allow you to get a multidimensional image of the liver and accurately determine the degree of damage to it.
- Liver biopsy. This is a very unpleasant and painful procedure, it is prescribed only in severe cases, if a malignant tumor or hepatitis C is suspected. It is performed using a needle that is inserted into the abdominal cavity in order to take a biopsy for further research.
- Scanning of the liver (radionuclide). The method is based on the introduction of a special contrast agent into a vein, which is carried throughout the body with the bloodstream and penetrates into the liver. This allows you to examine the organ using a special scanner and detect the presence of cysts, tumors, determine the size of the diseased organ and the number of affected cells.
How to test the liver for cirrhosis?
How to check liver function if cirrhosis is suspected? The diagnostic methods in this case are largely similar. The patient must donate blood for general, biochemical analysis and markers of viral hepatitis, PCR analysis. If necessary, an ultrasound or CT scan of the organ is done, the method of radioisotope research (scintigraphy) is used.
As additional diagnostic measures, fibrogastroduodenoscopy procedures and a liver biopsy are prescribed. Another modern instrumental research method is laparoscopy. It is carried out under anesthesia. During the procedure, an optical tube is inserted through a small incision in the abdominal cavity, which allows not only to examine the surface of the liver and see pathological changes, but also to take a piece of tissue for examination.
How to check the liver at home?
Doctors urge to be more attentive to their own health and periodically (at least once a year), undergo an examination in order to timely identify dangerous pathologies. How to check a person's liver at home? The appearance of alarming signs listed above should be alert. In addition, be sure to pay attention to the condition of the skin. Red “liver” palms, the appearance of excess weight, cellulite, and skin rashes may indicate liver damage.
With problems with the liver, the stomach noticeably increases in volume, bad breath appears, bleeding gums, the tongue is usually lined. Urination becomes more frequent, urine becomes dark yellow or reddish, and feces become discolored. The skin becomes too dry, the hair becomes dirty quickly.
In the morning bitterness appears in the mouth, there is no appetite, there is a feeling of nausea. During the day, weakness, drowsiness haunts, a breakdown is felt, and at night a person cannot fall asleep and suffers from insomnia. When these sensations are joined by constant dull pains in the abdomen (on the right), heaviness, discomfort after eating, digestive and stool disorders occur, the skin and sclera of the eyes become icteric - it's time to sound the alarm and seek medical help as soon as possible.
Check the liver with beets
To make sure that there are problems with the liver, you can conduct a small test at home. For example, check the liver with beets. It is very simple to do this, you just need to eat one boiled beetroot, preferably in the morning. If the liver is in order, then the urine will turn reddish only after 12-16 hours. If the organ has been damaged, you will notice a change in the color of urine after 3-4 hours.
Strips for the liver
Another popular method is the use of special tests - strips for the liver, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. This express method practically does not differ from a similar pregnancy test. You just need to dip the strip into a jar of urine and see how it reacts. If the strip reacts, this will be confirmation that there are problems with the liver.
This strip is sensitive to two liver enzymes - bilirubin and urobilinogen. If their level is elevated, the test will immediately show this. If the organ is healthy, the bilirubin test should be negative. In cases where the level of urobilinogen differs from the norm, circulatory disorders in the liver or thrombosis of the hepatic vein are possible. The results of the test must be reported to the doctor during the consultation.
Thus, at a preliminary stage, you can assess the condition of the liver yourself. In the future, it is necessary to undergo a full examination and start treatment as soon as possible.
It is recommended that before going to the doctor, confirm suspicions with a special test strip for the liver. According to the principle of action, the remedy does not differ from pregnancy tests: the strip must be lowered into a container with urine. The express test is sensitive to 2 liver pigments - bilirubin and urobilinogen. With the development of pathology, the indicator will work and show the result, which is interpreted according to the instructions in the instructions. Tests are sold in pharmacies.
For primary orientation in the presence or absence of an obvious liver disease, you can resort to express tests.
Description of the method
The assistant of each person who cares about the health of the liver is a special test strip. The tool allows at home to conduct a preliminary assessment of the performance of the liver, without resorting to blood tests for liver enzymes. You can use a rapid test as an argument for going to a medical consultation. To obtain the result, special indicators are used for specific substances that may be present in the urine. Speaking of the liver, the determination is carried out by specific liver pigments - by bilirubin with urobilinogen. Normally, these metabolic products are produced in quantities insufficient to detect them in the urine. Otherwise, pathology should be suspected.
Test strips are used by emergency doctors or emergency room staff in a hospital when there are suspicions of liver problems, and it is not possible to take blood for laboratory analysis. However, the data obtained as a result of express testing cannot be considered reliable. They are approximate and therefore require further confirmation of the presence of liver lesions. Indicator tests will not tell about the specific causes, stage and nature of functional liver damage.
Indicators are produced by large pharmaceutical companies and suppliers of biochemical equipment. Modern functional express strips are able to determine from 5 to 10 parameters in urine. But there are specific indicators for liver pigments. Popular pharmacy names:
- "Multistix";
- "Uribilin";
- "Uripolian-2";
- "VMline";
- "Uriscan".
Are they a substitute for analysis?
The rapid test for liver enzymes is widely used among the population and medical staff. In this way, a reliable result is obtained for the excess of bilirubin and urobilinogen in the urine. At the same time, the indicators are not affected by the acidity of the biomaterial, the quality of the food taken the day before. But when you go to the doctor, you will have to take blood and urine tests, as they give a broader picture of the state of the liver and the whole body. This will allow the specialist to make a more accurate diagnosis and determine further examination tactics.
What do liver function tests indicate?
Rapid pharmacy liver tests do not guarantee a 100% accurate diagnosis. Normally, bilirubin is absent in the urine, therefore, the test strips do not react. With a significant increase in pigment against the background of hepatitis of various etiologies (viral, autoimmune), obstructive jaundice or other organ damage, the indicator appears. With normal overeating, a failure in the diet of a jump in bilirubin in the urine does not occur, since these failures are not systematic and prolonged damage to the liver. Therefore, a positive result on the indicator indicates an unfavorable condition of the gland, which requires consultation with a heaptologist for further examination.
The second pigment to which the liver express test reacts is urobilinogen. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that this name is collective, that is, it combines several substances that are synthesized by the liver and intestines during the breakdown of bilirubin. Such degradation products are always present in faeces and urine in minimal amounts. Certain reactions also occur in bioliquids, as a result of which substances are again converted, which gives the secretions a special color and smell. It is by changes in these indicators that one can judge liver dysfunction without the use of testing by sensitive strips. For example, with inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis, discoloration of the feces and darkening of the biofluid occurs.
If the indicator strip responded to an excess of urobilinogens, the following pathological changes should be suspected:
- anemia of the hemolytic type;
- decomposition of large hematomas;
- viral or chronic inflammation of the liver;
- drug intoxication of the liver tissue;
- alcoholic, toxic damage to the gland;
Express indicators for the liver provide up-to-date results only for some diseases.
The reaction to liver pigments in the urine according to a rapid test in children for urobilinogens indicates the development of chronic constipation, colitis, or impaired intestinal patency.
Express indicators work with such vascular diseases:
- portal vein thrombosis;
- weakening of the blood supply to the hepatic vessels.
There is an opinion that test strips indicate a functional failure in the liver, provoked by gluttony or exposure to environmentally unfavorable conditions. But it's not. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to decide whether it is advisable to cleanse the liver at home, go on a diet without consulting a doctor and only on the basis of the results of an express test. First you need to contact a therapist, hepatologist or gastroenterologist to find out the reasons for a positive test reaction.
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