Liver Disease

In the United States, 4.5 million adults are diagnosed with liver disease each year, which can progress to life-threatening liver failure if left untreated.

Comprehensive Liver Disease Care

At Peak Gastroenterology Associates, our GI specialists can detect, diagnose, and treat liver disease to prevent serious complications and improve your quality of life. Schedule an appointment with Peak Gastroenterology Associates over the phone or online today. For your convenience, we have clinics in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Lone Tree.

What Is Liver Disease?

Liver disease encompasses a range of conditions that affect the liver, the body’s largest internal organ responsible for vital functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and chemical production necessary for digestion. Liver disease can be acute or chronic and includes conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

What Causes Liver Disease?

Various factors can lead to liver disease, including:

Viral Infections: These infections include hepatitis A, B, and C, which inflame the liver.
Alcohol Abuse: This leads to alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This disease is often associated with obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Autoimmune Diseases: Called autoimmune hepatitis, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks liver cells.
Genetic Disorders: Genetic conditions such as hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease affect the liver’s ability to handle iron and copper, respectively.
Toxins and Drugs: The liver can be damaged by overuse of medications and drugs and exposure to toxic substances.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of liver disease vary but often include one or more of the following:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Abdominal pain and swelling.
Chronic fatigue.
Nausea or loss of appetite.
Dark urine and pale stool.
Easy bruising or bleeding.

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How Is Liver Disease Treated?

The treatment of liver disease is tailored to the specific type and stage of the condition, incorporating a range of therapeutic strategies to manage symptoms and address the cause of the condition:

Lifestyle Modifications

Fundamental changes are often required to support liver health. The changes may include abstaining from alcohol, managing weight through diet and exercise, and controlling blood sugar levels to combat fatty liver disease.

Medication

Various medications may be prescribed based on the type of liver disease. For viral hepatitis, antiviral drugs can slow the progression of the liver disease. For autoimmune liver diseases, immunosuppressants may be prescribed to reduce inflammation.

Nutritional Management

Diet plays a crucial role in managing liver disease. Nutritional counseling can help patients adjust their diets to reduce liver strain, improve liver function, and prevent malnutrition.

Surgical Options

In cases of cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or liver cancer, surgeries such as liver resection, shunt operations, or transplantation may be necessary.

Liver Transplantation

This is considered for patients with end-stage liver disease or liver cancer that cannot be surgically removed. Transplantation involves replacing the diseased liver with a healthy one from a deceased or living donor. Post-transplant patients will require lifelong immunosuppressive medication to prevent organ rejection, along with regular monitoring and follow-up care.

Innovative Therapies

Advanced techniques such as Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) or Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) may be employed to treat specific types of liver tumors. These procedures target cancer cells while sparing healthy liver tissue.

Supportive Care

For advanced liver disease, treatments also focus on managing complications such as ascites, infections, and hepatic encephalopathy. The protocol may include diuretics to remove excess fluid, antibiotics to ward off infections, and lactulose or the antibiotic rifaximin to help reduce toxins in the brain associated with liver failure.

Monitoring and Regular Check-ups

Regular monitoring through blood tests, imaging studies, and endoscopies helps assess the liver’s health, the effectiveness of the treatment plan, and the progression of the disease.

Our Integrated Care Approach

At Peak Gastroenterology Associates, our integrated care approach brings together gastroenterology, oncology, surgery, and diet specialists to offer comprehensive care for liver disease. Our team collaborates closely to ensure that every aspect of health is addressed, from initial diagnosis through advanced treatment and into long-term management, providing a continuum of care that is both effective and compassionate.

Why Choose Us?

At Peak Gastroenterology Associates, we are equipped with the latest diagnostic tools and treatment technologies to provide modern, effective care for all types of liver disease. Our experienced hepatologists work closely with patients to develop customized treatment plans that address the underlying causes of liver disease and manage its symptoms.

We are committed to offering supportive, holistic care to optimize your liver health and overall well-being. At Peak Gastroenterology Associates, our team of GI specialists delivers warm, patient-focused care to patients throughout Denver, Colorado Springs, Lone Tree, and the state. Additionally, our practice offers far more than just premier GI care; our multidisciplinary team of physicians can address all of your medical needs in one place, offering a level of convenience that you won't find at other clinics.

Liver Disease FAQ

What is liver disease?

Your liver is a large organ that removes toxins, stores energy, and aids in digestion. Liver disease affects the way your liver functions. Types of liver diseases include:

Fatty liver disease
Cirrhosis
Liver cancer
Inherited liver diseases
Infections associated with hepatitis A, B, or C

If left untreated, liver disease can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition that may require a liver transplant.

What are the symptoms of liver disease?

Common signs and symptoms that may indicate you have liver disease include:

Itchy skin
Abdominal pain or swelling
Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes
Nausea or vomiting
Reduced appetite
Edema in your legs and ankles
Dark-colored urine
Pale, tar-colored, or bloody stool
Easy bruising
Chronic fatigue

If you experience symptoms of liver disease, schedule an evaluation with a GI doctor at Peak Gastroenterology Associates provider without delay.

What are the risk factors for liver disease?

You have a higher risk of liver disease if you’re overweight, have diabetes, drink a lot of alcohol, or are exposed to chemicals or toxins regularly. Shared needles, tattoos or body piercings, unprotected sexual intercourse, or a blood transfusion before 1992 boosts your risk of contracting hepatitis.

How is liver disease diagnosed?

To diagnose liver disease, your gastroenterologist reviews your symptoms and medical history. They complete a comprehensive physical exam and may use blood tests, a liver biopsy, or imaging procedures like CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds to confirm a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.

What is the treatment for liver disease?

Your liver disease treatment depends on the type and severity of your condition. The Peak Gastroenterology Associates team might recommend:

Lifestyle Changes: Making lifestyle changes can help you better manage liver disease. Examples include avoiding alcohol and certain medicines, adopting a nutritious diet, and weight loss if you’re overweight.
Medications: Taking certain medications can prevent complications associated with liver disease. Your gastroenterologist lets you know which medicines, if any, best suit your needs.
Surgical Procedures: In more severe cases of liver disease, surgery may be necessary to repair the damage, remove part of your liver, or replace the liver with a healthy donor organ during liver transplantation.

The best way to prevent liver damage is to lead a healthy lifestyle, maintain a healthy weight, avoid risky behaviors, limit or avoid alcohol, and use medications wisely. Don’t allow liver disease to progress to liver failure. Schedule an appointment with Peak Gastroenterology Associates over the phone or use the online booking tool.