Liver Disease Center - Haltom City, TXHaltom City Gastroenterologist Doctors for Liver DiseaseType of Physician: Gastroenterologist What is a Gastroenterologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated. Specialty: Gastroenterology Common Name: GI Doctor Gastroenterologist Doctors in Haltom City * Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA  Kalman Narayan MD  JPS Health Network Hospitalist Program  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA Site 37  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA Site 37  Fort Worth Digestive Association PA  Liver Consultants of Texas  Nataraj G Kasal MD  Marlon F Levy MD  UNT Health Science Internal Medicine  UNT Health Science Internal Medicine  UNT Health Science Internal Medicine  Jay G Beckwith DO PA  Robert D Burgos MD  Digestive Health Associates of Texas, PA Site 9  Digestive Health Associates of Texas, PA Site 9  Digestive Health Associates of Texas, PA Site 9  Digestive Health Associates of Texas, PA Site 9  Digestive Health Associates of Texas, PA Site 9  Digestive Health Associates of Texas, PA Site 9  Digestive Health Associates of Texas, PA Site 9  Digestive Health Associates of Texas, PA Site 9  Digestive Health Associates of Texas, PA Site 9  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Peter J Naus Jr. MD  Peter J Naus MD  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Howard Stein MD  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Arlington Gastroenterology Services  Navin T Parekh MD  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas LLP  Venkat Namburu MD  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Naum I Becker MD  Southwest Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwest Gastroenterology Clinic  Gastroenterology Center  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Medical & Surgical Clinic of Irving  S S Safavi MD  Drs Dharma & Mahatma  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  Texas Digestive Disease Consultants  North Texas Gastroenterology Consultants  Amjad Awan MD  Roy Joseph MD  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA Site 5  Joseph D Fletcher MD  James A Haley MD  Mark K Spiegel MD  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Gang Quan MD  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Southwestern Medical Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA Site 22  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA Site 13  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA Site 13  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA Site 16  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA Site 12  Gowri Balachandar MD  Adnan Nadir MD  Digestive Health Associates of Texas PA Site 13 Haltom City, TexasUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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Liver DiseaseRead the Liver Disease article » What is liver disease?Liver disease is any disturbance of liver function that causes illness. The liver is responsible for many critical functions within the body and should it become diseased or injured, the loss of those functions can cause significant damage to the body. Liver disease is also referred to as hepatic disease. Liver disease is a broad term that covers all the potential problems that may occur to cause the liver to fail to perform its designated functions. Usually, more than 75% or three quarters of liver tissue needs to be affected before decrease in function occurs. The liver the largest solid organ in the body; and is also considered a gland because among its many functions, it makes and secretes bile. The liver is located in the upper right portion of the abdomen protected by the rib cage. It has two main lobes that are made up of tiny lobules. The liver cells have two different sources of blood supply. The hepatic artery supplies oxygen rich blood that is pumped from the heart, while the portal vein supplies nutrients from the intestine and the spleen. Normally, veins return blood from the body to the heart, but the portal vein allows chemicals from the digestive tract to enter the liver for "detoxification" and filtering prior to entering the general circulation. The portal vein also efficiently delivers the chemicals and proteins that liver cells need to produce the proteins, cholesterol, and glycogen required for normal body activities. As part of its function, the liver makes bile, a fluid that contains among other substances, water, chemicals, and bile acids (made from stored cholesterol in the liver). Bile is stored in the gallbladder and when food enters the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), bile is secreted into the duodenum, to aid in digestion of food.
The liver is the only organ in the body that can ea... Recommended Reading Related to Liver DiseaseIntroduction to Portal HypertensionPortal hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure within a system of veins called the portal venous system. Normally, the veins come from the stomach, intestine, spleen, and pancreas, merge into the portal vein, which then branches into smaller vessels and travels through the liver. If the vessels in the liver are blocked, it is hard for the blood to flow causing high pressure in the portal system. When the pressure becomes too high, the blood backs up and finds other ways to flow back to the heart, where it is pumped to the lungs, where it gets rid of waste products and picks up oxygen. The blood can travel to the veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices), in the skin of the abdomen, and the veins of the rectum and anus (hemorrhoids) to get around the blockages in the liver. What Causes Portal Hypertension?/h...Other Related Liver Disease ArticlesEmergency Contact for Haltom City
Nearby Haltom City Hospitals *North Hills Hospital Southwest Surgical Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital Harris Continued Care Hospital Harris Methodist Fort Worth Cook Children's Medical Center JPS Health Network Kindred Hospital Fort Worth Baylor Surgical Hospital at Fort Worth Plaza Medical Center of Fort Worth Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth Arlington Rehabilitation Hospital Harris Methodist HEB Hospital Harris Methodist Springwood Texas Health Memorial Hospital at Arlington Kindred Hospital Arlington Millwood Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Arlington Medical Center of Arlington LifeCare Hospitals of Fort Worth HEALTHSOUTH City View Rehabilitation Hospital Regency Hospital of Fort Worth USMD Hospital at Arlington Baylor Medical Center at Southwest Fort Worth Kindred Hospital Fort Worth Southwest Harris Methodist Southwest Baylor Medical Center at Trophy Club Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine Huguley Memorial Medical Center Harris Methodist Northwest Kindred Hospital Mansfield Baylor Medical Center at Irving Las Colinas Medical Center Methodist Mansfield Medical Center Irving Coppell Surgical Hospital Medical Center of Lewisville Texas Specialty Hospital at Dallas RHD Memorial Medical Center Children's Medical Center of Dallas LifeCare Specialty Hospital of Dallas UT Southwestern Medical Center University Hospital St Paul Renaissance Hospital Dallas UT Southwestern Medical Center Parkland Health & Hospital System UT Southwestern Medical Center University Hospital Zale Lipshy Denton Regional Medical Center Methodist Charlton Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital South Dallas Methodist Rehabilitation Hospital Methodist Dallas Medical Center Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Hickory Trail Hopsital Trinity Medical Center Mary Shiels Hospital Baylor Specialty Hospital Baylor Jack & Jane Hamilton Heart & Vascular Hospital Baylor University Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital of Denton Regency Hospital of North Dallas Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation Dallas VA Medical Center Green Oaks Hospital Medical City Children's Hospital Medical City Hospital Weatherford Regional Medical Center Kindred Hospital Walnut Hill Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas Presbyterian Hospital of Plano Kindred Hospital Dallas Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano Baylor Medical Center at Frisco Timberlawn Mental Health System LifeCare Hospitals of Plano Plano Specialty Hospital Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Bruises
- A bruise, or contusion, is caused when blood vessels are damaged or broken as the result of a blow to the skin. The raised area of a bump or bruise results from blood leaking from these injured blood vessels into the tissues as well as from the body's response to the injury. Treatments include applying an ice pack and pressure to the area by hand.
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Cholesterol
- Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
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Cirrhosis (Liver)
- Cirrhosis of the liver refers to a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue caused by alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C. This disease leads to abnormalities in the liver's ability to handle toxins and blood flow, causing internal bleeding, kidney failure, mental confusion, coma, body fluid accumulation, and frequent infections. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin, itching, and fatigue.
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Gallstones
- Gallstones are stones that form when substances in the bile harden. Gallstones (formed in the gallbladder) can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. There can be just one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or any combination. The majority of gallstones do not cause symptoms.
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Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload)
- Hereditary hemochromatosis (iron overload) is an inherited disorder in which there is excessive accumulation of iron in the body. Individuals may have no symptoms or signs, or they can have severe symptoms and signs of iron overload. The most effective treatment for hemochromatosis is therapeutic phlebotomy.
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Viral Hepatitis
- Hepatitis is most often viral, due to infection with one of the hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E, F (not confirmed), and G) or another virus (such as those that cause infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus disease). The main nonviral causes of hepatitis are alcohol and drugs. Many patients infected with hepatitis A, B, and C have few or no symptoms of illness. For those who do develop symptoms of viral hepatitis, the most common are flu- like symptoms including: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness, and aching in the abdomen. Treatment of viral hepatitis is dependant on the type of hepatitis.
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Hepatitis A and B Immunizations
- Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are the two most commnon viruses that infect the liver. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B can be prevented and treated with immunizations (vaccinations) such as Havrix, Vaqta, Twinrix, Comvax, Pediarix, and hepatitis b immune globulin (HBIG).
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Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)
- Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, is a common problem among men characterized by the consistent inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse or the inability to achieve ejaculation, or both. Impotence can have emotional causes but most often it is due to a physical problem.
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Infectious Mononucleosis
- Infectious mononucleosis is a virus infection in which there is an increase of white blood cells that are mononuclear (with a single nucleus) "Mono" and "kissing disease" are popular terms for this very common illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
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Sickle Cell Disease (Sickle Cell Anemia)
- Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease), a blood disease which shortens life expectancy, is cause by an inherited abnormal hemoglobin. Symptoms may include bacterial infections, painful swelling of the hands and feet, fever, leg ulcers, fatigue, anemia, eye damage, and lung and heart injury. Treatment for sickle cell anemia aims to manage and prevent the worst manifestations of the disease and focuses on therapies that block red blood cells from stacking together, which can lead to tissue and organ damage and pain.
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Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usually spread by blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needle sticks, especially with intravenous drug abuse. Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with interferon, usually in combination with anti-virals.
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Jaundice
- Jaundice is a yellowish staining of the skin and whites of the eyes (sclerae) with bilirubin, the pigment found in bile. Jaundice can be an indicator of liver or gallbladder disease, or it may result from the rupture of red blood cells (hemolysis).
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Abdominal Pain
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Fatty Liver
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a wide spectrum of liver disease ranging from simple fatty liver (steatosis), to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), to cirrhosis (irreversible, advanced scarring of the liver). All of the stages of NAFLD have in common the accumulation of fat (fatty infiltration) in the liver cells (hepatocytes).
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Liver Cancer
- Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the majority of patients with liver cancer will die within one year as a result. Patients with associated cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infections, alcohol, and hemochromatosis are at the greatest risk of developing liver cancer. Many patients with liver cancer do not develop symptoms until the advanced stages of the tumor which usually makes prognosis poor. The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose liver cancer, while a liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis. Medical treatments, including chemotherapy, chemoembolization, ablation, and proton beam therapy, are not very effective. Surgical removal of the tumor or a liver transplant may be most effective in certain cases.
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Pulmonary Hypertension
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Congestive Heart Failure
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart's function as a pump is inadequate to meet the body's needs. A poor blood supply resulting from congestive heart failure may cause the body's organ systems to fail, leading to a weakened heart muscle and fluid accumulation in the lungs and body tissue. There are many diseases that can impair pumping efficiency and symptoms of congestive heart failure including fatigue, diminished exercise capacity, shortness of breath, and swelling. Treatments include lifestyle modifications, medications, heart transplant, and therapy.
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Toxoplasmosis
- Toxoplasmosis (toxo) is a parasitic infection that causes flulike symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches and pains that may last from a few days to several weeks. Toxoplasmosis can be contracted by touching the hands to the mouth after gardening, cleaning a cat's litter box, or anything that came into contact with cat feces. Toxoplasmosis can also be contracted by eating raw or partly cooked meat, especially pork or lamb, or touching the hands to the mouth after contact with raw or undercooked meat.
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Alcoholism
- Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD)
- The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The intestinal complications of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis differ because of the characteristically dissimilar behaviors of the intestinal inflammation in these two diseases.
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Itching
- Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
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Hepatitis B
- The hepatitis B virus is a unique, coated DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses. The course of the virus is determined primarily by the age at which the infection is acquired and the interaction between the virus and the body's immune system. Successful treatment is associated with a reduction in liver injury and fibrosis (scarring), a decreased likelihood of developing cirrhosis and its complications, including liver cancer, and a prolonged survival.
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Tylenol Liver Damage
- Tylenol liver damage (acetaminophen) can occur from accidentally ingesting too much acetaminophen, or intentionally. Acetaminophen is a drug contained in over 200 OTC and prescription medications from NyQuil to Vicodin. Avoiding unintentional overdoses include reading medication labels, write down the dosages of medications you are taking, do not drink excessive alcohol while taking acetaminophen. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.
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Portal Hypertension
- Portal hypertension is most commonly caused by cirrhosis, a disease in which results from scarring of a liver injury. Other causes of portal hypertension include blood clots in the portal vein, blockages of the veins that carry the blood from teh liver to the heart, and a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis.
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Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often precedes vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions. The causes of vomiting differ according to age, and treatment depends upon the cause of nausea and vomiting.
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Drug-Induced Liver Disease
- Drug-induced liver diseases are diseases of the liver that are caused by physician-prescribed medications, OTC medications, vitamins, hormones, herbs, illicit (“recreational”) drugs, and environmental toxins. There are three types of liver toxicity; dose-dependent toxicity, idiosyncratic toxicity, and drug allergy. The types of liver disease drugs cause include: mild elevations of blood levels of liver enzymes, hepatitis, necrosis, cholestasis, steatosis, cirrhosis, mixed disease, fulminant hepatitis, and blood clots.
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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
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Blood Clots
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Encephalopathy
- Encephalopathy means brain disease, damage, or malfunction. Causes of encephalopathy are varied and numerous. The main symptom of encephalopathy is an altered mental state. Other symptoms include lethargy, dementia, seizures, tremors, and coma. Treatment of encephalopathy depends on the type of encephalopathy (anoxia, diabetic, Hashimoto's, hepatic, hyper - hypotensive, infectious, metabolic, infections, uremic, or Wernicke's) are examples of types of encephalopathy.
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