Common Liver Diseases, Symptoms and Remedies

1. Gas

Gas collects in two main ways. Swallowing air while you eat or drink can cause oxygen and nitrogen to collect in the digestive tract. Second, as you digest food, digestive gases such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide collect. Either method can cause flatulence

How do you prevent gas?

Eat and drink slowly. Taking your time can help you swallow less air.
Avoid carbonated drinks and beer. They release carbon dioxide gas.
Skip the gum and hard candy. ...
Don't smoke. ...
Check your dentures. ...
Treat heartburn.

How can I reduce gas in my stomach?

Drink before meals. ...
Eat and drink slowly. ...
Take over-the-counter digestive aids. ...
Try activated charcoal. ...
Don't fill up on air. ...
Avoid artificial sweeteners.

Why do I always fart so much?

Endogenous sources - it is produced within the gut. Gas may be produced as a by-product of digestion of certain foods, or when foods are not digested completely. Anything that causes food not to be digested completely by the stomach and/or small intestine can cause flatulence when it reaches the large intestine.

What does it mean when you fart all the time?

A fart, also called gas, “passing wind” or flatulence, is caused by the internal buildup of gases that are formed during the process of digestion and respiration. The causes of farts and how they develop within the digestive tract vary considerably depending on the person and circumstance.

What can I do to relieve gas?

Beans and lentils.
Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and other vegetables.
Fructose, a natural sugar found in artichokes, onions, pears, wheat, and some soft drinks.
Lactose, the natural sugar found in milk.

What can I do to relieve gas?

It found that ginger helps speed digestion, which is important because if your stomach empties faster, gases can move more quickly into your small intestine to relieve discomfort and bloating. Other examples of herbs in the carminative family that could help provide gas relief, i Foods most often linked to intestinal gas include: Beans and lentils. Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and other vegetables. Fructose, a natural sugar found in artichokes, onions, pears, wheat, and some soft drinks. Lactose, the natural sugar found in milk.

Can you get chest pains from gas?

When gas causes pain, it's usually in the abdomen (belly). However, the pain may also be felt in the chest. ... Other causes of chest pain not due to the heart include problems with the esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), musculoskeletal (chest wall) pain, problems in the lungs, and many others.

2. ABDOMEN PAIN

Many things can cause abdominal pain. Usually, abdominal pain is not caused by a disease and will improve without treatment. It can often be observed and treated at home. Your health care provider will do a physical exam and possibly order blood tests and X-rays to help determine the seriousness of your pain. However, in many cases, more time must pass before a clear cause of the pain can be found. Before that point, your health care provider may not know if you need more testing or further treatment.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Monitor your abdominal pain for any changes. The following actions may help to alleviate any discomfort you are experiencing: Only take over-the-counter or prescription medicines as directed by your health care provider. Do not take laxatives unless directed to do so by your health care provider. Try a clear liquid diet (broth, tea, or water) as directed by your health care provider. Slowly move to a bland diet as tolerated.

SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:

You have unexplained abdominal pain.
You have abdominal pain associated with nausea or diarrhea.
You have pain when you urinate or have a bowel movement.
You experience abdominal pain that wakes you in the night.
You have abdominal pain that is worsened or improved by eating food.
You have abdominal pain that is worsened with eating fatty foods.
You have a fever.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:

Your pain does not go away within 2 hours.
You keep throwing up (vomiting).
Your pain is felt only in portions of the abdomen, such as the right side or the left lower portion of the abdomen.
You pass bloody or black tarry stools.

MAKE SURE YOU:

Understand these instructions.
Will watch your condition.
Will get help right away if you are not doing well or get worse.

3. JAUNDICE

Jaundice is when the skin, the whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes turn a yellowish color. It is caused by a high level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is made in the body when red blood cells break down normally. Having jaundice may mean that your liver or your body's bile system is not working right.

HOME CARE

Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
Do not drink alcohol.
Take medicines only as told by your doctor.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.
You can use skin lotion to help with itching.

GET HELP IF:

You have a fever.

GET HELP RIGHT AWAY IF:

Your symptoms suddenly get worse.
You have symptoms for more than 72 hours.
Your pain gets worse.
You keep throwing up (vomiting).
You become weak or confused.
You get a very bad headache.
You lose too much body fluid (dehydration). Signs that have you lost too much body fluid include:
A very dry mouth.
A fast, weak pulse.
Fast breathing.
Blue lips.

4. CONSTIPATION

Constipation is when a person has fewer than three bowel movements a week, has difficulty having a bowel movement, or has stools that are dry, hard, or larger than normal. As people grow older, constipation is more common. A low-fiber diet, not taking in enough fluids, and taking certain medicines may make constipation worse.

CAUSES

Certain medicines, such as antidepressants, pain medicine, iron supplements, antacids, and water pills.
Certain diseases, such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), thyroid disease, or depression.
Not drinking enough water.
Not eating enough fiber-rich foods.
Stress or travel.
Lack of physical activity or exercise.
Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement.
Using laxatives too much.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Having fewer than three bowel movements a week.
Straining to have a bowel movement.
Having stools that are hard, dry, or larger than normal.
Feeling full or bloated.
Pain in the lower abdomen.
Not feeling relief after having a bowel movement.

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. Further testing may be done for severe constipation. Some tests may include:
A barium enema X-ray to examine your rectum, colon, and, sometimes, your small intestine.
A sigmoidoscopy to examine your lower colon.
A colonoscopy to examine your entire colon.

TREATMENT

Treatment will depend on the severity of your constipation and what is causing it. Some dietary treatments include drinking more fluids and eating more fiber-rich foods. Lifestyle treatments may include regular exercise. If these diet and lifestyle recommendations do not help, your health care provider may recommend taking over-the-counter laxative medicines to help you have bowel movements. Prescription medicines may be prescribed if over-the-counter medicines do not work.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Eat foods that have a lot of fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
Limit foods high in fat and processed sugars, such as french fries, hamburgers, cookies, candies, and soda.
A fiber supplement may be added to your diet if you cannot get enough fiber from foods.
Drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
Exercise regularly or as directed by your health care provider.
Go to the restroom when you have the urge to go. Do not hold it.
Only take over-the-counter or prescription medicines as directed by your health care provider. Do nottake other medicines for constipation without talking to your health care provider first.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:

You have bright red blood in your stool.
Your constipation lasts for more than 4 days or gets worse.
You have abdominal or rectal pain.
You have thin, pencil-like stools.
You have unexplained weight loss.

MAKE SURE YOU:

Understand these instructions.
Will watch your condition.
Will get help right away if you are not doing well or get worse

5. NAUSEA/VOMITTING

Nausea is the feeling that you have an upset stomach or have to vomit. As nausea gets worse, it can lead to vomiting. Vomiting occurs when stomach contents are thrown up and out of the mouth. Vomiting can make you feel weak and cause you to become dehydrated. Dehydration can make you tired and thirsty, cause you to have a dry mouth, and decrease how often you urinate. Older adults and people with other diseases or a weak immune system are at higher risk for dehydration. It is important to treat your nausea and vomiting as told by your health care provider.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to care for yourself at home.
Eating and Drinking.
Follow these recommendations as told by your health care provider:
Take an oral rehydration solution (ORS). This is a drink that is sold at pharmacies and retail stores.
Drink clear fluids in small amounts as you are able. Clear fluids include water, ice chips, diluted fruit juice, and low-calorie sports drinks.
Eat bland, easy-to-digest foods in small amounts as you are able. These foods include bananas, applesauce, rice, lean meats, toast, and crackers.
Avoid fluids that contain a lot of sugar or caffeine, such as energy drinks, sports drinks, and soda.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid spicy or fatty foods.

General Instructions

Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
Make sure that all people in your household wash their hands well and often.
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Rest at home while you recover.
Watch your condition for any changes.
Breathe slowly and deeply when you feel nauseated.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:

You have a fever.
You cannot keep fluids down.
Your symptoms get worse.
You have new symptoms.
Your nausea does not go away after two days.
You feel light-headed or dizzy.
You have a headache.
You have muscle cramps.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF

You have pain in your chest, neck, arm, or jaw.
You feel extremely weak or you faint.
You have persistent vomiting.
You see blood in your vomit.
Your vomit looks like black coffee grounds.
You have bloody or black stools or stools that look like tar.
You have a severe headache, a stiff neck, or both.
You have a rash.
You have severe pain, cramping, or bloating in your abdomen.
You have trouble breathing or you are breathing very quickly.
Your heart is beating very quickly.
Your skin feels cold and clammy.
You feel confused.
You have pain when you urinate.
You have signs of dehydration, such as:
Dark urine, very little urine, or no urine.
Cracked lips.
Dry mouth.
Sunken eyes.
Sleepiness.
Weakness.
These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away.

6. INDIGESTION

Indigestion is a feeling of pain, discomfort, burning, or fullness in the upper part of your belly (abdomen). It can come and go. It may occur often or rarely. Indigestion tends to happen while you are eating or right after you have finished eating.It may be worse at night and while bending over or lying down.

HOME CARE

Take these actions to lessen your pain or discomfort and to help avoid problems.

Diet CARE

Follow a diet as told by your doctor. You may need to avoid foods and drinks such as:
Coffee and tea (with or without caffeine).
Drinks that contain alcohol.
Energy drinks and sports drinks.
Carbonated drinks or sodas.
Chocolate and cocoa.
Peppermint and mint flavorings.
Garlic and onions.
Horseradish.
Spicy and acidic foods, such as peppers, chili powder, curry powder, vinegar, hot sauces, and BBQ sauce.
Citrus fruit juices and citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes.
Tomato-based foods, such as red sauce, chili, salsa, and pizza with red sauce.
Fried and fatty foods, such as donuts, french fries, potato chips, and high-fat dressings.
High-fat meats, such as hot dogs, rib eye steak, sausage, ham, and bacon.
High-fat dairy items, such as whole milk, butter, and cream cheese.
Eat small meals often. Avoid eating large meals.
Avoid drinking large amounts of liquid with your meals.
Avoid eating meals during the 2–3 hours before bedtime.
Avoid lying down right after you eat.
Do not exercise right after you eat.

General Instructions

Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms.
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor. Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs unless your doctor says it is okay.
Do not use any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
Wear loose clothes. Do not wear anything tight around your waist.
Raise (elevate) the head of your bed about 6 inches (15 cm).
Try to lower your stress. If you need help doing this, ask your doctor.
If you are overweight, lose an amount of weight that is healthy for you. Ask your doctor about a safe weight loss goal.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

GET HELP IF:

You have new symptoms.
You lose weight and you do not know why it is happening.
You have trouble swallowing, or it hurts to swallow.
Your symptoms do not get better with treatment.
Your symptoms last for more than two days.
You have a fever.
You throw up (vomit).

GET HELP RIGHT AWAY IF:

You have pain in your arms, neck, jaw, teeth, or back.
You feel sweaty, dizzy, or light-headed.
You pass out (faint).
You have chest pain or shortness of breath.
You cannot stop throwing up, or you throw up blood.
Your poop (stool) is bloody or black.
You have very bad pain in your belly.