Hepatology: A Comprehensive Guide

The liver is a vital organ of the human body. It supports all other organs. It is prone to a number of diseases and infections passing from the abdominal cavity to the thoracic cavity. Hepatitis is a common medical condition characterized by an inflamed liver. It is caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D and E infections. Herpes simplex virus may also be responsible for such inflammation. Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are the main cause of liver cancer. An accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream can cause hepatic encephalopathy, which can be fatal. The excessive consumption of alcohol leads to a host of alcoholic liver conditions, such as alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis and fatty liver. The susceptibility of each individual to such diseases varies and may depend on genetics, gender and liver insult. Many liver conditions are typically accompanied by jaundice. All such diseases can be diagnosed by liver function tests and blood tests. This book brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and elucidates the unexplored aspects of hepatology. The objective of this book is to give a general view of the different conditions of the liver and their management strategies. The extensive content herein provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.