Hepatologist
A specialist who deals with diseases of the liver and biliary tract is a hepatologist.
Consultation with a hepatologist involves taking anamnesis, diagnosing liver disease, prescribing treatment, and selecting preventive measures to prevent further development of the disease.
Let us clarify that the hepatologist is engaged in the prevention and treatment of such diseases:
- cirrhosis;
- acute and chronic hepatitis: bacterial origin, enteroviral, herpetic, cytomegalic, nonspecific reactive, autoimmune, hepatitis A, B, C, D;
- toxoplasmosis;
- mononucleosis of infectious origin;
- legionnaires' disease;
- leptospirosis;
- steatohepatitis of non-alcoholic origin;
- yellow fever;
- asthenovegetative syndrome.
Also, the hepatologist deals with liver diseases caused by alcohol abuse.
When should you go to see a hepatologist
We list the symptoms of common liver diseases, the occurrence of which requires a visit to a hepatologist. It is important to always remember that timely seeking advice can save a person's health and life, because the liver is an organ that, with proper treatment, is restored and continues to function. Therefore, it is important to contact a hepatologist yourself on time, and have time to send a loved one to see him.
Symptoms of viral hepatitis C, for example, can include: loss of appetite, abdominal pain, itching, rashes or other abnormal skin manifestations, weakness, weight loss.
Cirrhosis of the liver is manifested by an increase in the abdomen, abdominal pain, a change in behavior - drowsiness is often felt, fatigue appears, and attentiveness decreases. In addition, hepatologists say that bleeding of the gums, deterioration of libido, and breast enlargement in men can be observed.
Common to cirrhosis and other liver diseases may be such signs: darkening of urine, lightening of feces, yellowing of the skin and eyeballs.
Seeing a hepatologist about at least one of the listed symptoms can help to identify the disease in time.
How does a hepatologist diagnose?
Consultation with a hepatologist provides for examination of the patient, familiarization with the symptoms and the appointment of such studies:
- General blood analysis;
- Study of the exchange of iron, copper;
- Coagulogram;
- Blood test by PCR method: qualitative and quantitative research for HCVRNA and HBVDNA (hepatitis B and C), qualitative research for HDVRNA (hepatitis D);
- Biochemical blood test to determine the level of total and direct bilirubin, sodium, potassium, protein, albumin, glucose, cholinesterase, ALP, ALT, GGT, AST enzymes;
- Study of markers of hepatitis B and C by ELISA method;
- Study of the level of AFP - a marker of tumor pathologies of the liver;
- Study of autoantibodies.
Also, reviews about hepatologists confirm that, in addition to blood tests, the following types of examinations can be prescribed:
- Colonoscopy - examination of the large intestine using a special device;
- Computed, magnetic resonance imaging (CT and MRI) of organs located in the abdominal cavity;
- Esophagoscopy (abbreviated as EGDS) - examination of the esophagus. During the study, biological material is taken to check it for the presence of the bacteria H. pylori (Helicobacter).
Very often the hepatologist uses the data of ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
How to choose a hepatologist
Contrary to the already established stereotypes, it does not matter whether a hepatologist works in a public or private clinic. The only difference can be in the payment for the reception of the hepatologist and the examinations that he will appoint.
Most importantly, when choosing a specialist, do not forget to look for reviews about hepatologists. In the case of a disease of an organ such as the liver, you need a good hepatologist-diagnostician who is able to carry out differential diagnostics and select sparing treatment.
When choosing a hepatologist, pay attention to his personal statistics - the percentage of successfully cured patients.
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