Alternative Treatment for Enlarged Liver or Hepatomegaly

If a person is diagnosed with an enlarged liver or hepatomegaly, what it means is his or her liver has swollen and become larger than the normal size. The average weight of the liver for normal adults is approximately 3 pounds.

Having a swollen liver indicates that there is an underlying health problem. It could be a symptom of alcoholic fatty liver, congestive heart failure, hepatitis A or B, an infection, a metabolic problem, cancer or other liver diseases.

Many people may not be aware that they have a swollen liver. This is because they may not associate the pain in the upper right abdomen as a symptom of hepatomegaly. The only obvious enlarged liver symptom is when the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellowish which is a condition known as jaundice.

Try pressing your fingers under the lower edge of the ribs on the right side. If you feel a pain there, you are probably having an enlarged liver. To confirm it, see a doctor for a liver test. If the doctor confirms that your liver has enlarged, he would do further test to determine the underlying cause and advice you on the best treatment and medication.

Listed below are alternative treatments for swollen liver and tips to maintain a healthy liver.

Home Remedies for Liver Enlargement

1. If alcohol is the cause of the swollen liver, the treatment to restore its size and to allow the liver to function as normal again is to stop drinking. However, if the liver has developed cirrhosis or scarring of the liver, it cannot be reversed. The liver would already have problems making protein, fighting infections, cleaning the blood, digesting food and storing energy. But you should still quit consuming alcohol because cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer.
   
   
   
2. If you are overweighed, start a healthy eating program and an exercise program and follow through. Obesity is one of the causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and many other major diseases. Try these home remedies for weight loss if you need some help in losing or controlling your weight.
   
   
   
3. Heart failure can cause liver enlargement. The solution is to quit smoking, lose weight if you are obese, eat low fat diet, do regular aerobic exercise and lower your blood pressure.
   
   
   
4. Eat lots of fresh fruits especially papaya, fresh juices such as lemon juice and carrot juice and vegetables such as beets, eggplants, bitter melon, tomatoes and radishes. Include yogurt, onions, turmeric and garlic in your diet as they support a healthy liver. And remember to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to flush off toxins.
   
   
   
5. Several studies have shown that milk thistle is good for the liver and may also help reverse liver damage. Click the link to find out a list of herbs that support liver health.
   
   
   
6. Include dietary supplements in your diet to support the liver, boost your immune system and reduce the risk of liver enlargement. Some examples are vitamin B complex, L-Arginine, N-Acetyl Cysteine, grape seed extract and vitamin E.

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