TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Chapter 1 -- About polycystic liver disease
Some facts about this rare disease, and how it is diagnosed and develops
Why women are more commonly diagnosed than men, and why medical treatments become necessary
Polycystic kidney disease and its relation to polycystic liver disease
Chapter 2 – What causes polycystic liver disease?
The risk factors for polycystic liver disease include being female
Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy are not advised
Pregnancy and some genetic factors
Chapter 3 -- About the liver
The liver is the body's most important organ, performing on more than 500 functions
The liver stores glucose, and Vitamins A, B12, D, E and K
Chapter 4 – Symptoms and complications
Pain, a feeling of satiety, and other symptoms sometimes occur, as do complications such as infection
Liver enlargement and its role in symptoms you may experience
About portal vein hypertension and how it is treated
Chapter 5 -- Diet and lifestyle
A good balanced diet including adequate protein will help you
The necessity of balancing protein intake, and maintaining a healthy weight
How exercise will help you maintain weight and overall fitness
Some information on herbs used to maintain liver health
Chapter 6 -- Surgical treatments
A look at the five major invasive treatments for treating chronic symptoms, and studies of their efficacy
Cyst aspiration, sclerosing agents, cyst fenestration, liver resection and fenestration, and liver transplant surgery
The new technique of hepatic artery embolation and studies on its efficacy
Chapter 7 -- Drugs
A few drugs show potential benefit for polycystic liver disease and are now in clinical trials
Two statin analogs show the most promise for reducing the size of the liver
Appendix A --Liver enzyme and function tests
Tests you will probably receive, and what they may mean
Liver tests including ALT, AST, BSP, Albumin and Bilirubin and what they can show
Appendix B – Glossary of terms
Medical jargon you may encounter explained in simple layman's terms
that may be helpful in understanding and discussing polycystic liver disease with your doctor
Appendix C --Internet links
Some useful websites to have on hand when searching for information
Appendix D -- Bibliography
A list of articles in medical journals providing source material for this book
About the Author
Burning Books Press, PO Box 41053, Los Angeles, CA 90041 USA
Preface
Chapter 1 -- About polycystic liver disease
Some facts about this rare disease, and how it is diagnosed and develops
Why women are more commonly diagnosed than men, and why medical treatments become necessary
Polycystic kidney disease and its relation to polycystic liver disease
Chapter 2 – What causes polycystic liver disease?
The risk factors for polycystic liver disease include being female
Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy are not advised
Pregnancy and some genetic factors
Chapter 3 -- About the liver
The liver is the body's most important organ, performing on more than 500 functions
The liver stores glucose, and Vitamins A, B12, D, E and K
Chapter 4 – Symptoms and complications
Pain, a feeling of satiety, and other symptoms sometimes occur, as do complications such as infection
Liver enlargement and its role in symptoms you may experience
About portal vein hypertension and how it is treated
Chapter 5 -- Diet and lifestyle
A good balanced diet including adequate protein will help you
The necessity of balancing protein intake, and maintaining a healthy weight
How exercise will help you maintain weight and overall fitness
Some information on herbs used to maintain liver health
Chapter 6 -- Surgical treatments
A look at the five major invasive treatments for treating chronic symptoms, and studies of their efficacy
Cyst aspiration, sclerosing agents, cyst fenestration, liver resection and fenestration, and liver transplant surgery
The new technique of hepatic artery embolation and studies on its efficacy
Chapter 7 -- Drugs
A few drugs show potential benefit for polycystic liver disease and are now in clinical trials
Two statin analogs show the most promise for reducing the size of the liver
Appendix A --Liver enzyme and function tests
Tests you will probably receive, and what they may mean
Liver tests including ALT, AST, BSP, Albumin and Bilirubin and what they can show
Appendix B – Glossary of terms
Medical jargon you may encounter explained in simple layman's terms
that may be helpful in understanding and discussing polycystic liver disease with your doctor
Appendix C --Internet links
Some useful websites to have on hand when searching for information
Appendix D -- Bibliography
A list of articles in medical journals providing source material for this book
About the Author
Burning Books Press, PO Box 41053, Los Angeles, CA 90041 USA