The liver is vital in that it cleanses the blood of toxins that would otherwise harm the rest of our body. A healthy liver is essential in building a healthy immune system and a body that is able to fight and recover quickly from illness and injury. However, there are certain conditions that can't be avoided. Let's face it, we are not perfectly healthy most of the time. Liver cysts are generally harmless and, in certain cases, unpreventable. However, there is still that chance that they may lead to other health issues. While treatment may be limited to surgery, the list of preventing complications runs long.
Simple Cysts
A simple liver cyst (also known as a hepatic cyst) is a small bubble that may or may not contain fluid. It is relatively common, often benign and poses no health risks. In cases when the cyst does grow, it may cause pain in the upper right abdominal area. It may also cause the liver to swell and infect or block the bile duct. Here, the cyst will have to be removed. Many believe that simple liver cysts are congenital in nature. A growth is usually detected by ultrasound or CAT scans, often by chance when a person is being tested for something else.
Hydatid Cysts
Hydatid cysts are caused when the parasite Echinococcus granulosus finds itself in the digestive tract. This parasite is common among sheep and cattle raising areas anywhere in the world. The larvae grow and multiply in the liver. Like simple liver cysts, a hydatid cyst will not initially show any symptoms. However, it will eventually cause pain and, in extreme cases, the growth may affect the diaphragm.
Neoplastic Cysts
Neoplastic cysts are also called either cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma, and their causes are still unknown. They most likely occur in women in their fifties. These lesions are not as common as simple cysts. However, they bring about the similar pain as with simple hepatic cysts.
Prevention/Solution
A biopsy may be done to help determine the nature of the cyst. This medical procedure involves taking out a small sample of the lesion and analyzing it. Since many lesions present the same symptoms, the biopsy will help the health provider plan out a treatment. Most lesions are benign. They can be removed surgically if ever they create discomfort.
Maintaining a healthy liver is also key in managing lesions. This means limiting your intake of food that would overwork the liver. These include deep fried and fatty foods, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, dairy products, poultry and meats that contain artificial growth hormones and antibiotics, and junk food. Drinking water, as well as raw fruit and vegetable juices, will help cleanse the liver and flush out toxins. Vitamin E from natural sources (d-alpha-tocopherol) and selenium help protect liver cells from damage. Likewise, flaxseed oil contains fatty acids that aid damaged cells.
Considerations
Most liver cysts will not reveal any external signs such as abdominal pain until they have grown in later stages. In most cases, cysts are often discovered "by chance" during examinations for other diseases or routine check ups. Many diseases can look like liver cysts, so it is important to first rule out any other illness. If it is indeed a liver cyst, the doctor will then have to first rule out parasites (such as echinococcosis). Remember that most hepatic cysts are benign. In most cases, maintaining a healthy liver may just be enough.
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