What Causes the Liver to Swell?
October 5, 2023 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
The medical term for liver swelling is hepatomegaly. There are numerous potential causes of liver swelling, and the underlying reason can vary depending on the individual’s health, medical history, and lifestyle. Some common causes of liver swelling include:
- Alcoholic Liver Disease: Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholic liver disease, which includes alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. These conditions can cause the liver to become enlarged and inflamed.
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): NAFLD is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver. In some cases, it can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which involves liver inflammation and can cause hepatomegaly.
- Viral Hepatitis: Infections with hepatitis viruses, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or hepatitis A, can lead to liver inflammation and swelling.
- Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by long-term liver damage. As cirrhosis progresses, the liver can become enlarged due to inflammation and the formation of fibrous tissue.
- Liver Infections: In addition to viral hepatitis, other infections such as mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), or parasitic infections can cause liver enlargement.
- Autoimmune Liver Diseases: Conditions like autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) involve the immune system attacking the liver, leading to inflammation and hepatomegaly.
- Congestive Heart Failure: When the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, it can lead to congestion in the liver and liver enlargement. This is known as congestive hepatomegaly.
- Hemochromatosis: Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. Excess iron can accumulate in the liver and other organs, leading to hepatomegaly.
- Medications and Toxins: Certain medications, chemicals, or toxins, when ingested or exposed to the body, can cause liver damage and swelling. This can include overdoses or prolonged use of certain drugs.
- Metabolic Disorders: Conditions like Wilson’s disease, glycogen storage diseases, or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can affect the liver’s function and size.
- Cancers and Tumors: Liver cancer, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, or tumors that have spread to the liver (metastatic cancer) can cause liver enlargement.
- Pregnancy: In some cases, pregnancy can lead to mild liver enlargement due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the liver.
Hepatomegaly is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, and changes in appetite or weight. If you experience any of these symptoms, or if you have persistent liver swelling, it’s essential to seek medical evaluation and diagnosis to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. The cause of liver enlargement can vary widely, and treatment will depend on the specific condition or disease responsible for the hepatomegaly.