Liver Disease Center - Naperville, ILNaperville 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 Naperville * DuPage Medical Group Gastroenterology  DuPage Medical Group Gastroenterology  DuPage Medical Group Gastroenterology  DuPage Medical Group Gastroenterology  DuPage Medical Group Gastroenterology  DuPage Medical Group Gastroenterology  DuPage Medical Group Gastroenterology  DuPage Medical Group Gastroenterology  Suburban Gastroenterology Ltd  MidWest Digestive Disease Specialists  Suburban Gastroenterology Ltd  Suburban Gastroenterology Ltd  MidWest Digestive Disease Specialists  MidWest Digestive Disease Specialists  MidWest Digestive Disease Specialists  MidWest Digestive Disease Specialists  Naperville Gastroenterology  Gastrointestinal Health Specialists LLC  Gastroenterology Group  Gastroenterology Group  Gastroenterology Group  Southwest Digestive Disease Consultants  Southwest Digestive Disease Consultants  Digestive Health Services SC  Digestive Health Services SC  Digestive Health Services SC  Mohamad Z Sait MD Ltd  Gloria J Caruso MD PC  Dreyer Medical Clinic Mercy Campus  Mohammed Mahkri MD  Dreyer Medical Clinic Mercy Campus  Dreyer Medical Clinic Mercy Campus  Dreyer Medical Clinic Mercy Campus  Joseph Lagattuta MD  Gastrointestinal Health Specialists LLC  Dyer GI Clinics of Illinois  Midwest GI Associates  Gastroenterology Group  Gastrointestinal Health Associates  Gastroenterology Services Ltd  Gastroenterology Services Ltd  Gastrointestinal Health Associates  Gastroenterology Services Ltd  Gastrointestinal Health Associates  Gastrointestinal Health Associates  Gastroenterology Group  Basant K Jhawar MD  Gastroenterology Group  Gastroenterology Group  Gerard A Sublette MD & Christopher Boutin MD  Elmhurst Clinic Gastroenterology  Gerard A Sublette MD & Christopher Boutin MD  Digestive Disease Associates  Digestive Disease Associates  Suresh Bhalla MD  Digestive Disease Clinic of Joliet Ltd  Elmhurst Clinic Gastroenterology  Elmhurst Clinic Gastroenterology  Southwest Gastroenterology  Southwest Gastroenterology  Southwest Gastroenterology  Southwest Gastroenterology  Southwest Gastroenterology  Northwest Gastroenterologists  Northwest Gastroenterologists  Northwest Gastroenterologists  Northwest Gastroenterologists  Northwest Gastroenterologists  Digestive Health Associates  Drs Kane, Misawa & Spiess LLC  Northwest Gastroenterologists  Northwest Gastroenterologists  K Krishnankutty MD  Northwest Gastroenterologists  Drs Kane, Misawa & Spiess LLC  Drs Kane, Misawa & Spiess LLC  Northwest Gastroenterologists  Northwest Healthcare  Northwest Healthcare  Northwest Healthcare  George Zahrebelski MD  Mark E Dubin MD  Drs Kane, Misawa & Spiess LLC  Deepak Bakane MD  Yorkville Family Practice  Sinha Chunduri MD  Manuel C Iglesias MD  Loyola University Medical Center  Loyola University Medical Center  Loyola University Medical Center  Loyola University Medical Center  Loyola University Medical Center  Advocate Medical Group Arlington Heights  Therapeutic Endoscopy Associates PC  Elgin Gastroenterology  Elgin Gastroenterology  Elgin Gastroenterology  Elgin Gastroenterology  Elgin Gastroenterology  Elgin Gastroenterology Naperville, IllinoisUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Naperville
Nearby Naperville Hospitals *Edward Hospital Linden Oaks Hospital at Edward Central DuPage Hospital Rush-Copley Medical Center Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Provena Mercy Medical Center Adventist GlenOaks Hospital RML Specialty Hospital Adventist Hinsdale Hospital Delnor-Community Hospital Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Kindred Hospital Northlake Streamwood Behavioral Health Center Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Silver Cross Hospital Alexian Brothers Medical Center Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital Loyola University Medical Center Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital John J Madden Mental Health Center Resurrection Health Care Westlake Hospital Riveredge Hospital Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Advocate Christ Medical Center & Hope Children's Hospital Palos Community Hospital MacNeal Hospital Elgin Mental Health Center RUSH Oak Park Hospital St Alexius Medical Center Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital Provena Saint Joseph Hospital Sherman Hospital Hartgrove Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Chicago Loretto Hospital Resurrection Health Care West Suburban Medical Center Northwest Community Hospital Chicago-Read Mental Health Center Resurrection Health Care Resurrection Medical Center Resurrection Health Care Our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center Tinley Park Mental Health Center Advocate Bethany Hospital Holy Cross Hospital Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Little Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers Saint Anthony Hospital Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Resurrection Health Care Holy Family Medical Center Sacred Heart Hospital Oak Forest Hospital of Cook County Kindred Hospital Chicago Central Norwegian-American Hospital Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center Valley West Community Hospital Jesse Brown VA Medical Center John H Stroger Jr Hospital of Cook County MetroSouth Medical Center Resurrection Health Care Saint Elizabeth Hospital University of Illinois Medical Center Johnston R Bowman Health Center Resurrection Health Care Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center Rush University Medical Center St Bernard Hospital & Health Care Center Glenbrook Hospital Kindred Hospital Chicago North Swedish Covenant Hospital Advocate South Suburban Hospital CINN Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago Ingalls Memorial Hospital Mercy Hospital & Medical Center Provident Hospital of Cook County 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
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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
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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
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Nausea and Vomiting
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Drug-Induced Liver Disease
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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
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Blood Clots
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Encephalopathy
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