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The relationship between liver disease and mental health
Article summary
Topic
A medical term for a liver that is larger than normal is hepatomegaly. This condition may be a manifestation of different diseases developing in the body.1
When the liver becomes enlarged it compresses the surrounding organs and bowels and distends its surrounding hepatic capsule, which may cause pain. The liver itself does not generate pain because there are no nerves in it.1
What are the causes of liver enlargement?
The liver becomes enlarged when it is affected by a disease. The principal causes of its enlargement which may result in “liver pain” include:
Lifestyle:2
Excessive alcohol consumption, daily alcohol consumption (even a small quantity consumed daily may lead to alcoholic liver disease)
Overeating and fatty, heavy meals (especially when your liver is not accustomed to digesting heavy foods),
Eating too much sugar and sweets, especially sugary drinks,
Long-term or high-dose intake of certain medicines.
Most common liver diseases:
How is hepatic enlargement detected?
The initial symptoms of liver disorders are often non-specific or such disorders are initially asymptomatic. For this reason, the disease can be missed, especially in its early stages. Even a liver that has become enlarged may give no symptoms. However, when this condition is a results of a liver disease it may be accompanied by:1, 2
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Yellowing of the skin and eye whites (jaundice)
Abdominal pain
Trouble sleeping
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How is hepatic enlargement diagnosed?
Each condition where the liver is enlarged requires a diagnostic work-up. The basic diagnostic test in such a case is an imaging examination – ultrasound scan of the abdominal cavity.1
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