The Liver-Function, Disease and Remedy

The liver is a very vital organ of
the body since it performs
numerous functions. The average
weight of a liver is about 1.25kg.
It lies below the diaphragm and
located on the right side of the
abdomen. The color of the
normal healthy liver is dark-red.
The liver is regarded as one of
the most important organs in the
body of a mammal because of
the following functions it
performs.
Functions of the liver
1. The liver helps in the formation
of red blood cells i.e. erythrocytes
2. Heat production for the body
use
3. It helps in the regulation of
lipids
4. It helps in the regulation of
blood sugar by converting blood
sugar to glycogen
5. The liver helps in detoxifying
the toxic by-products of the body
metabolism.
6. The liver produces bile which
helps in the emulsification of fats
for easy digestion.
7. The liver serves as a storage
medium for vitamins
8. Manufacture of essential
protein is one of the vital
functions of the liver
9. It helps in the reservoir of
blood
10. The liver helps in the
breakdown of red blood cells
11. As a medium for the storage
of iron
Despite the enormous functions
of the liver, it is one of the major
cause of sickness and death in
mammals especially man because
of the diseases it can
incorporate. Some of the major
disease of the liver and their
remedy are discussed below.
Disease of the liver
Diabetes mellitus
This is the major disease of the
liver and is one of global
significance. Diabetes mellitus is
caused by the inability of the liver
cells to convert excess glucose in
the blood to glycogen. Excess
glucose in the blood is not good
for the body. Therefore, it should
be converted and stored as
glycogen and whenever the body
lacks glucose, the glycogen will
be converted to glucose by
hormone known as insulin
according to the body needs.
Diabetes mellitus is therefore
caused as a result of the failure
of some group of cells in the
pancreas (Islets of Langerhans)
to manufacture enough insulin.
Effects of diabetes mellitus
It can leads to leathery skin,
lethargy, exhaustion or muscular
weakness, dehydration, blurred
vision, costly to manage.
Remedy for diabetes mellitus
Diabetes drugs as prescribed by
the physician should be used
Regular doses of insulin injection
if and as prescribed by the
physician
Avoidance of carbohydrate and
sugar rich foods
Regular exercise as prescribed by
the physician
Restrict diet as directed by the
physician or doctor.
Infective Hepatitis
Symptoms are loss of appetite,
nausea, severe headache and
this is caused as a result of the
inflammation of the liver.
Remedy for Hepatitis
Patient should be placed on
special diet and should strictly
adhere to it.
Proper administering of
prescribed drugs or medication
Gall stones
Gall stones are hard objects like
stones which are formed in the
bile duct and which block the
passage of the bile.
Effects of gall stones
Inability to digest fats and oil
properly
Yellowing of the skin and eyes
Remedy for gall stones
Oral feeding on a bile acid as
prescribed by a physician may
help to dissolve the stones
Proper usage of prescribed
medicine.
Cancer of the liver
Cancer of the liver like other type
of cancer is caused by a distorted
form of production in liver cells.
Cancer of the liver is a deadly
infection if not treated early.
Effects
General weakness of the body
which can result to death.
Remedy
The disease can be treated like
other cancer disease through the
use of radiation, chemotherapy
and surgery.
Cirrhosis of the liver
In cirrhosis of the liver, the liver
cells are replaced by dead and
lifeless fibrous tissue.
Effect
Loss of appetite which can result
to general weakness of the body.
Remedy for cirrhosis of the liver
Surgical operation
Total avoidance of alcoholic
drinks and beverages.