Diseases of the Liver.

IMPAIRED LIVER function affects every aspect of the body's physiology. Diseases of the liver have more widespread and life-threatening impacts than malfunctioning of any of the body's other conditions. accessory organs. Non-alcoholic fatty Liver disease rates are soaring, concurrent with the obesity epidemic and increasing rates of type 2 diabetes. Alcoholic liver disease and viral hepatitis also contribute to high rates of liver damage in the population, making liver disease one of the commonest causes premature death. Liver transplants, hepatocellular carcinomas, and deaths from Liver disease are increasingly due to preventable or treatable liver conditions. Understanding normal liver function allows nurses to predict the impact of Liver disease on their patients' health and well-being. Knowledge of underlying causes of impaired liver function enhances our ability to support and counsel those who are at risk of, or have been diagnosed with liver disease.

Screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of hepatic injury.

Although prophylactic vaccines and a better screened blood supply have contributed to a decreased incidence of viral hepatitis, liver injury remains a common problem. It is important that nurse practitioners know which patients are at risk for hepatic injury, when and how to screen for hepatic injury, and how to monitor patients diagnosed with hepatic damage. The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry guidelines related to hepatic injury provide a framework for the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of hepatic injury resulting from a variety of causes.

Pathophysiology of hepatitis C and HIV coinfection.

Hepatitis C infection is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis that can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Hepatitis C virus infects approximately 70 million people worldwide. Hepatitis C is usually transmitted by injection drug use and blood transfusion. Hepatitis C is prevalent in HIV-infected individuals. Coinfection complicates the treatment of these two distinct viral infections. Understanding the normal functions of the liver and the pathophysiological effects of coinfection enables health care professionals to provide the highest level of care for these individuals.

Prevention and control of viral hepatitis.

Viral hepatitis is a common disease caused by various hepatotropic viruses. An awareness of the characteristics and transmission patterns of these viruses will help nurses to understand the diverse clinical outcomes of infection and develop effective patient education and infection prevention and control strategies.

[Nursing of patients hospitalized for viral hepatitis]. / Cuidados de enfermería en pacientes hospitalizados por hepatitis viral.

Viral hepatitis is a serious health problem that deserves special attention. In the last ten years progress has been made in its diagnosis, treatment and prevention. An updated review is made of the main clinical and epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis and of the nursing care that children admitted for this disease receive at our Hospital.

Unlocking the virus. Providing support and treatment for people with hepatitis.

Many British nurses are unaware of the nature of hepatitis transmission and how to support sufferers. Analysing patients' perceptions of the disease and the care they receive can do much to dispel this ignorance.