What should I do if a liver abscess ruptures?

Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Firstly, we must keep our emotions stable, avoid being nervous, avoid anxiety, and avoid shouting loudly, as these can increase the likelihood of bleeding. Do not excessively increase the pressure in the abdominal cavity. So, what treatment methods do we have? There are two types of treatments: surgical and non-surgical. If the patient has a mild liver rupture and stable vital signs without persistent active bleeding, treatment can be administered through blood transfusion, fluid infusion, hemostasis, antibacterial drugs, and hepatoprotective drugs. However, it is crucial to closely monitor the patient's vital signs and regularly review the imaging studies of the condition. We must diligently observe any changes in the patient's condition. If evidence of active bleeding occurs during conservative treatment, then surgical intervention must be immediately performed.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Will ferritin be high in hepatic abscess?

Will ferritin levels rise in cases of liver abscess? First, we need to understand the significance of ferritin testing. I can also tell you that ferritin does not necessarily increase during a liver abscess. The main form of iron in the body is present as serum ferritin. Clinically, its relationship with the aforementioned diseases is something we can discuss. The first one is related to iron-deficiency anemia. Generally, early stages of iron deficiency do not directly cause significant anemia, but they will lead to a reduction in iron stores. There are many methods for determining serum iron content in clinical laboratories, but none are as sensitive and reliable as serum ferritin. The second point is its relationship with tumors. Ferritin acts as a soluble tissue protein that stores iron in the body. It consists of a protein shell and an iron core, with the iron core having a strong capacity to bind and store iron, maintaining the supply of iron and the relative stability of hemoglobin. The liver is the site of synthesis of serum ferritin and also the organ that clears it. Normally, only a small amount is found in the serum, so during acute or chronic liver damage, or liver cancer, a noticeable increase occurs. Therefore, when liver abscesses affect liver function or cause destruction of liver cells, it can also lead to increased ferritin levels. However, in the early stages of a liver abscess, if treatment is proactive, ferritin levels might not increase.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Liver abscesses are treated in the Department of Hepatology.

This is likely a common and frustrating issue for many patients who visit this hospital on a daily basis. As the name suggests, liver abscess is related to the department of hepatobiliary sciences. It can also be looked into by other departments linked to the liver, such as hepatology, infectious disease department, and even the department of traditional Chinese medicine. No matter which department you visit, you can initially undergo some routine blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, etc., to determine the size and scope of the liver abscess, check whether it has ruptured or caused any bleeding. Subsequently, based on the doctors' initial diagnosis, you can be referred to the relevant department. If surgery is needed, the patient should visit the department of hepatobiliary surgery. If surgery is not necessary, the departments of infectious diseases, hepatology, or traditional Chinese medicine are all viable options.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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Can a liver abscess cause ascites?

Can liver abscess cause ascites? Some liver abscesses can cause ascites. Firstly, it must be understood why ascites occur. It is because the patient has poor resistance, internal infections, and is prone to worsened infections. A liver abscess involves significant energy consumption due to prolonged fever and intermittent fevers, which can reduce the liver’s capacity to synthesize albumin, leading to a decrease in colloid osmotic pressure within the blood vessels. This is accompanied by the formation of fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Therefore, when a patient with a liver abscess develops ascites, there is no need to be overly anxious or nervous. Treatment can involve vigorous anti-infection measures, supplementation with albumin, and other supportive treatments to improve the symptoms and alleviate the patient's ascites, facilitating a quicker recovery.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
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What is good to eat for a liver abscess?

You should eat a diet that is easy to digest, high in vitamins, low in fat, and high in calories. Avoid fatty, greasy, spicy, and stimulating foods. So, what types of food can we choose? We can choose foods like millet and pig stomach, including beans, because beans are high in protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin B. You can also eat seafood such as hairtail and yellow croaker, which can enhance immunity, repair damaged tissue cells, and strengthen the body's resistance to prevent viral infections. Additionally, you can eat fruits that clear heat and detoxify, relieve irritability, and quench thirst, such as dragon fruit, pears, apples, etc. You can also consume foods that are rich in potassium.

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Integrative Medicine
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Should one abstain from certain foods if they have a liver abscess?

Dietary restrictions are necessary for liver abscesses, which are purulent liver diseases caused by various microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or amoebae. If not treated promptly, the mortality rate can reach 10% to 30%. What should one pay attention to in their diet? First, absolutely no alcohol consumption during the onset of the disease, as it increases the burden on the liver and delays the healing of the liver abscess. Second, spicy, stimulating, greasy, and fried foods must be avoided as they can aggravate the liver abscess. Third, pickled vegetables and certain foods considered "heaty" by traditional Chinese medicine should also be avoided, such as beef, lamb, dog meat, longan, and lychee. It is recommended to consume a light diet and eat vegetables and fruits that can clear heat and detoxify.