A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a minimally invasive procedure that doctors use to treat portal vein hypertension and other complications of advanced liver disease. As well as being less invasive than traditional bypass surgery, the TIPS procedure carries fewer risks. While a TIPS procedure can help reduce the risk of further complications, it […]
Liver Disease / Hepatitis
Liver function tests: What to know
Liver function tests are blood tests that measure substances that the liver produces. Doctors can use these results to evaluate the health of a person’s liver. Abnormal results can indicate liver disease, even when a person does not have symptoms. The liver serves several essential functions that support a person’s overall health and well-being. It […]
What to know about false positives in hepatitis C testing
Hepatitis C is a viral liver infection that can become chronic. Some people have antibodies associated with the virus in their blood but do not have an active hepatitis C infection. These antibodies can lead to false-positive results on blood tests for an active infection. A person can have hepatitis C for a number of […]
What is the prognosis for hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. When a person has the hepatitis C virus (HCV) for several years, their liver can become inflamed. However, a person can live for years without even knowing that they have HCV. Once the symptoms start to show, the person usually already has liver damage, which can […]
Targeting one gut bacterium may treat alcoholic liver disease
Precision targeting of bacteria in a different way to antibiotics shows promise as a treatment for alcoholic liver disease, according to new research in mice. Share on PinterestTargeting a specific bacterium has helped scientists eliminate alcoholic liver disease in mice. A recent Nature study paper describes how an international team of scientists used bacteriophages, which […]
What to know about hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a decline in brain function that results from a build-up of toxins in the blood. The condition occurs when a person’s liver cannot remove sufficient toxins from the bloodstream. People with acute liver damage or advanced liver disease are at risk of developing HE. Keep reading for more information about the […]
New method detects early stage liver disease
Research in mice and human tissue samples finds that a new method of detecting liver disease in its early stages is accurate, effective, and noninvasive. The findings are the first of their kind. Share on PinterestA new method offers in depth imaging of the liver. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects between 80 and 100 […]
Is this how fructose worsens the effect of high fat diets?
New research on mice adds detail to the potential harms of combining sugar sweetened drinks with a high fat diet. Building on previous findings, that fructose promotes body fat, the latest study shows that fructose sweetened drinks can also disrupt the liver’s ability to burn fat. New research suggests that high levels of fructose in […]
Natural ways to lower ALT levels
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Gut bacteria may damage liver by turning carbs into alcohol
Researchers found that strains of the gut bacterium Klebsiella pneumonia can raise a person’s blood alcohol level in the absence of alcohol consumption. They link this to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice and humans. What links carbohydrates and liver damage? Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition in which excess fat accumulates […]