Track 1. Liver diseases
Liver diseases refer to a broad category of medical conditions that affect the normal functioning of the liver, a vital organ responsible for various critical metabolic, detoxification, and regulatory processes in the body. Liver diseases can range in severity from mild, reversible conditions to more serious and chronic disorders that can lead to significant health complications.
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Hepatitis
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Cirrhosis
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Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH):
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Alcoholic Liver Disease:
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Autoimmune Liver Diseases
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Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma):
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Genetic Liver Diseases
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Biliary Tract Diseases
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Hemochromatosis
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Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Track 2.Hepatology
Hepatology is the medical specialty that focuses on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disorders related to the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas. It is a branch of internal medicine with a particular emphasis on the functions and diseases of these organs, as well as their interactions with the digestive and metabolic processes of the body.
Hepatologists are medical doctors who specialize in hepatology. They have expertise in a wide range of conditions affecting the liver and related organs, including:
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Viral hepatitis (such as hepatitis B and C)
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Alcoholic liver disease
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
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Cirrhosis and its complications
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Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
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Autoimmune liver diseases (such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis)
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Genetic liver diseases
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Biliary tract diseases (gallstones, biliary obstruction)
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Pancreatic disorders
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Metabolic liver diseases
Track 3.Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
NAFLD is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver of individuals who consume little to no alcohol. It is considered one of the most common liver disorders worldwide. NAFLD encompasses a spectrum of liver conditions ranging from simple fat accumulation in the liver (steatosis) to more severe inflammation and liver cell damage (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH), which can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver failure in some cases. NAFLD is closely associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes.
Track 4. Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a medical term used to describe the inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by various factors, including viral infections, excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic disorders. Hepatitis can range in severity from mild and self-limiting to severe and chronic, potentially leading to long-term liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver failure. There are several types of hepatitis, with the most common being viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is caused by specific viruses, including hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV).
Track 5.Liver Transplantation
Liver transplantation is a complex surgical procedure in which a diseased or damaged liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. It is typically performed as a last resort for individuals with end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure when other medical treatments have failed or are unlikely to be effective. Liver transplantation can be a life-saving intervention for individuals whose livers are no longer able to perform their vital functions adequately.
Track 6. Liver Cancer
Liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a type of cancer that originates in the cells of the liver. It is the most common type of primary liver cancer, meaning it originates within the liver itself rather than spreading from another part of the body (secondary or metastatic cancer). Hepatocellular carcinoma typically develops in the context of chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C infection, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or other conditions that cause long-term liver inflammation and damage. The presence of these underlying liver diseases increases the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.
Track 7. Pediatric hepatology
Pediatric hepatology is a specialized medical field that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of liver diseases and related disorders in infants, children, and adolescents. This branch of medicine specifically addresses liver conditions that occur in the pediatric population, including newborns, infants, toddlers, and teenagers.
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Congenital Liver Disorders
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Neonatal Jaundice
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Pediatric Liver Transplantation
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Viral Hepatitis
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Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Children
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Liver Tumors in Children
Track 8.Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of primary liver cancer that originates in the hepatocytes, which are the main functional cells of the liver. It is the most common type of liver cancer and accounts for most cases. Hepatocellular carcinoma often develops in the context of underlying chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, viral hepatitis (hepatitis B or C), alcoholic liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Track 9.Liver Fibrosis
Liver fibrosis is a process in which the healthy tissue of the liver is gradually replaced by scar tissue, a type of connective tissue. It is a response to various forms of liver injury and inflammation, often resulting from chronic liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and autoimmune liver diseases. When the liver is repeatedly injured or inflamed over time, the body's natural healing response involves the activation of cells called hepatic stellate cells. These cells produce excessive amounts of collagen and other proteins, leading to the accumulation of scar tissue within the liver. As fibrosis progresses, the liver's structure and function can be compromised.
Track 10.Liver cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis is a late stage of progressive scarring (fibrosis) of the liver tissue, resulting from long-term, continuous damage to the liver. It is a serious and irreversible condition in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, leading to significant disruption of the liver's structure and function. Cirrhosis can be caused by various factors, including chronic alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune liver diseases, and other chronic liver conditions.
Track 11. Regenerative Medicine and Liver Regeneration
Regenerative medicine is a multidisciplinary field of medicine that focuses on developing and applying innovative approaches to repair, replace, or regenerate damaged or diseased tissues and organs in the body. The goal of regenerative medicine is to restore normal function and promote the body's natural healing processes. This field encompasses a range of techniques, including cell therapy, tissue engineering, gene therapy, and the use of biomaterials.
Liver regeneration, within the context of regenerative medicine, specifically refers to the liver's remarkable ability to repair and regrow its own tissue after injury or partial removal. The liver is known for its exceptional regenerative capacity, which allows it to recover from various forms of damage, including surgical resection, acute injury, and mild toxicity. The regenerative process involves the proliferation of hepatocytes, the main functional cells of the liver.
Track 12. Wilson disease
Wilson disease, also known as hepatolenticular degeneration, is a rare genetic disorder that causes the accumulation of copper in various tissues of the body, particularly the liver, brain, and eyes. This excess copper buildup can lead to serious health problems, affecting the liver, neurological system, and other organs. Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, meaning that an individual must inherit two copies of the faulty gene (one from each parent) to develop the condition.
Track 13.Jaundice
Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes. It occurs when there's an excess of bilirubin in the bloodstream, a yellow pigment produced because of the breakdown of red blood cells. Jaundice is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of an underlying medical condition. The most common cause of jaundice is liver dysfunction or disease, as the liver plays a crucial role in processing bilirubin and excreting it from the body.
Track 14.Cholestasis
Cholestasis is a medical condition that involves the disruption of the normal flow of bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps in the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Cholestasis can occur when there is a problem with the bile ducts, liver cells, or the processes involved in bile production and transport.
There are two main types of cholestasis:
1.Intrahepatic Cholestasis
2.Extrahepatic Cholestasis
Track 15.Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden and severe inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach that plays a crucial role in digestion and regulating blood sugar levels. This condition can range from mild and self-limiting to severe and life-threatening. Acute pancreatitis occurs when digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas become activated within the pancreas itself, leading to tissue damage and inflammation.
The most common causes of acute pancreatitis include:
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Gallstones
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Alcohol Consumption
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Trauma or Injury
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High Triglyceride Levels
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ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
Track 16. Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the cells of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It's a relatively aggressive form of cancer that often goes undetected until it has reached an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat effectively. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by its rapid growth and tendency to spread to other parts of the body.
There are two main types of pancreatic cancer:
Track 17.Gallstones
Gallstones are solid particles that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. The gallbladder's main function is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver, and release it into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of fats. Gallstones can range in size from small grains to larger masses and can vary in number.
Gallstones can form when there is an imbalance in the components of bile, including cholesterol and bile salts. There are two main types of gallstones:
Track 18.Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder characterized by the excessive accumulation of iron in the body. Iron is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including the production of red blood cells and oxygen transport. However, when iron levels become too high, it can lead to damage in various organs and tissues, including the liver, heart, pancreas, and joints.
