Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the first stage of alcohol-related liver disease?
What is the first stage of alcohol-related liver disease?
What symptom is commonly associated with advanced cirrhosis?
What symptom is commonly associated with advanced cirrhosis?
Which treatment option is available for managing cirrhosis?
Which treatment option is available for managing cirrhosis?
What lifestyle change is recommended to manage non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
What lifestyle change is recommended to manage non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
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What condition can result from untreated long-term cirrhosis?
What condition can result from untreated long-term cirrhosis?
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Which of the following is NOT a symptom of cirrhosis?
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of cirrhosis?
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What is a reversal stage of alcoholic hepatitis?
What is a reversal stage of alcoholic hepatitis?
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What is a common characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
What is a common characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
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What is one of the primary functions of the liver?
What is one of the primary functions of the liver?
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Which of the following can lead to liver damage?
Which of the following can lead to liver damage?
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How does the liver contribute to digestion?
How does the liver contribute to digestion?
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What is a common symptom of liver disease?
What is a common symptom of liver disease?
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Which term describes the liver's capability to regenerate?
Which term describes the liver's capability to regenerate?
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Which of the following substances is NOT filtered by the liver?
Which of the following substances is NOT filtered by the liver?
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How might a dental treatment plan be affected by liver disease?
How might a dental treatment plan be affected by liver disease?
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What role does thrombopoietin, produced by the liver, play in the body?
What role does thrombopoietin, produced by the liver, play in the body?
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Study Notes
Liver Disease Overview
- Liver disease is a significant health concern, impacting oral health.
- It's a key area of study for dental hygienists/therapists.
- The liver is the largest internal organ in the body, located below the diaphragm in the right upper abdominal quadrant.
GDC Learning Outcomes
- Explain general and systemic diseases, linking them to oral health.
- Understand physiology relevant to patient management.
- Describe the properties of medicines and therapies, applying them to patient care.
Liver Functions
- Filters and cleanses blood.
- Processes sugar, proteins, and fats.
- Stores vitamins (A, D, E, K, B12).
- Produces bile aiding fat digestion and absorption.
- Stores minerals (iron, copper).
- Removes metabolic waste and toxins.
- Fights infection (bacteria, fungi, parasites).
- Removes damaged blood cells and cellular debris.
- Converts glucose to glycogen for storage.
- Regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Produces essential proteins (blood clotting factors, albumin, hormones).
- Underlying normal blood clotting (haemostasis).
- Produces platelets promoting blood clotting.
- Processes many drugs (alcohol, analgesics, antimicrobials, sedatives, etc.).
- Processes cholesterol, proteins, sex steroids.
Liver Damage Causes
- Alcohol abuse (alcohol-related liver damage)
- Viral infections (Hepatitis A-E)
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Autoimmune issues (primary biliary cirrhosis)
- Tumors and cysts
- Inherited conditions (hemochromatosis)
Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
- The liver filters alcohol, processing it & removing it.
- Liver cell death occurs during the process, requiring regeneration time.
- Excessive alcohol use over extended periods inhibits liver recovery and leads to damage.
Stages of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease (reversible)
- Alcoholic hepatitis (reversible with cessation of alcohol)
- Cirrhosis (irreversible) potentially leading to liver failure.
Symptoms of Cirrhosis
- Initially asymptomatic
- Tiredness and weakness
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Palmar erythema (redness of palms)
- Spider naevi (spider-like blood vessels)
- Finger clubbing
- Sialosis
- Jaundice (bile pigment buildup)
- Itching
- Dark urine, tarry stools
- Bleeding/bruising easily
- Loss of libido
- Swollen abdomen/legs (ascites)
- Gynecomastia/testicular atrophy
- Esophageal varices
Treatment for Cirrhosis
- Lifestyle changes: stopping alcohol use, healthy diet, low protein/salt diet, lose weight, stop smoking.
- Medicines: diuretics, beta-blockers (reduce skin itching)
- Liver transplant (in severe cases)
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
- Fat buildup in the liver, not caused by alcohol.
- Often associated with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
- NAFLD has 4 stages, progressing over time, sometimes asymptomatic in early stages.
- Symptoms of liver fibrosis: abdominal pain, tiredness and weight loss.
- Symptoms of cirrhosis: similar to alcoholic cirrhosis, see above.
Treatment for NAFLD
- Lifestyle changes: healthy choices, losing weight, healthy diet, exercise, manage diabetes/hypertension.
- Treat complications (e.g., diabetes and high cholesterol)
- Liver transplant (in severe cases)
Other Liver Damage Causes
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (immune response attacks bile ducts)
- Tumours and cysts (various types of liver cancer)
- Haemochromatosis (inherited condition causing iron overload).
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