What is Hepatology? | Brief Overview of its Hepatic Medical Conditions

Hepatology is the domain of medical science that focuses on diseases of the liver as well as discerning related conditions. Hepatologists, additionally, are the medical experts specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic diseases and the organs that these conditions affect. These organs include the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and biliary tract. The proper functioning of these organs is vital to the well-being of a person. In case any of these organs gets severely damaged, the results can be detrimental for a person. As a result, people must contact the best hepatologist in Delhi as soon as possible in case they are diagnosed with hepatic conditions like hepatitis, fatty liver disease, pancreatitis, and so on.

The following pointers provide a brief insight on some of the most prominent hepatic conditions:

• Alcoholic liver disease: Alcoholic liver disease is a common condition that develops due to extreme alcohol consumption, and can damage the liver. Cirrhosis is the ultimate stage of alcoholic liver disease, and people reaching it may even have to go for an organ transplant. The key symptoms of alcoholic liver damage include extreme pain or swollenness in the abdominal region. This condition can even give rise to certain nervous system and brain-related issues that influence the mood or memory of the patient.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis: Autoimmune hepatitis is a medical condition that occurs in the situation when the immune system of a person starts to attack the healthy liver cells, thereby causing inflammation. Autoimmune hepatitis may even eventually lead to liver failure and cirrhosis. The symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis include high fatigue, dark coloured urine, abdominal discomfort, and itchiness.
• Cirrhosis: The liver is among the most important organs of the human body, and there are a lot of factors that can cause damage to it, including genetic disorders, infections, alcohol, and toxins. These elements may result in scarring and inflammation of the liver, which might eventually develop in cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a life-threatening condition.
• Ascites: In such a condition, fluids build up in the lining present between the abdomen and the abdominal organs. People suffering from liver damage and congestive heart failure are the ones among whom the problem of ascites is most common. Individuals who are suffering from cancers related to the abdominal region like pancreatic, ovarian, and colon cancer, are typically at high risk of developing ascites as well.
• Fatty liver disease: Hepatitis C, obesity, heredity issues, and alcohol abuse may lead to a build-up of fat in the liver. This condition is known as fatty liver disease, and may ultimately result in liver failure and cirrhosis if not treated on time.
• Hepatitis B and C: Hepatitis B is contagious and often considered a chronic liver disease, and spreads through vaginal fluid, semen, and blood.  Hepatitis C, on the other hand, is infectious in which the liver tends to become inflamed.

A person diagnosed with any of the listed above must try their best to consult the best hepatologist in Delhi as soon as they can, to acquire proper, timely treatment.