Hepatology
Hepatology in Burlingame, CA
Hepatology is the branch of medicine specializing in diagnosis and treatment of liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and bile duct conditions and diseases. Hepatology was previously part of gastroenterology, but it has since come under a separate branch of medicine.
Diseases and conditions a hepatologist treats:
A hepatologist can diagnose and treat a wide variety of illnesses, conditions, and diseases, including:
- Cirrhosis or liver scarring
- Fatty liver disease
- Hepatitis A, B, and C
- Hemochromatosis
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cancer
- Gall stones
- Bile duct disease
- Wilson’s disease
When you might visit a hepatologist
You might need to see a hepatologist if you:
- Consume excessive alcohol
- Experience chronic abdominal pain
- Have gastrointestinal bleeding
- Notice yellowed skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Notice deep yellow or brown urine
- Feel swelling of your abdomen
- Experience excessive weight loss
- Have an abnormal liver function test result
- Have chronic nausea or vomiting
What a hepatologist can do for you
A hepatologist can order a wide variety of tests and imaging studies to diagnose liver or pancreas issues, including:
- Blood tests
- Liver function tests
- Abdominal or liver ultrasound
- Liver or pancreas biopsy
What you can do to prevent liver and pancreas problems
You can do a lot to prevent liver and pancreas problems. One of the most important things you can do is to take steps to prevent acquiring hepatitis. These preventive steps include:
- Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B
- Testing the health of your sexual partner and yourself
- Not using IV drugs, and not sharing needles with anyone
- Wearing gloves and other protective gear if you work with bodily fluids
You should also:
- Eat a healthy diet with sufficient nutrients
- Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle
The health of your liver and pancreas are important to your overall health. A hepatologist can help keep you healthy.