Liver Disease (PDF)

Liver Disease discusses modern physiological and pathological concepts about liver in a concise manner. The author reviews the liver structure and functions including hepatic clearance, metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, or fats, as well as the integrity of the liver (dependent on blood flow, blood pressure, oxygen supply, or carbon dioxide concentrations). Investigations of liver diseases involve the following tests: urine, stools, biochemical, hematology, corticosteroids, radiology, biopsy, or peritoneoscopy. The author also discusses hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, and toxic liver injury. The liver oxidizes around 95 percent of ingested alcohol by conversting it to acetaldehyde, a toxic substance. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or jaundice can follow after alcohol ingestion; gastrointestinal bleeding leads to gastritis or to a ruptured esophageal varices. The author also explains malignant diseases of the liver such as malignant hepatoma, secondary carcinoma or hypernephroma. Other liver diseases include portal cirrhosis and portal hypertension which is blood flow obstruction to either inside or outside the liver. This book is suitable for medical students, laboratory researchers involved in liver diseases, as well as doctors of general medicine.