Liver Disease and Diet?

[jaycole]

About two years ago I was hospitalized for four days with gastro enteritis and dehydration from persistent vomiting. I was kept for four days due to high creatinine levels and spoke to a kidney doctor. I had an ultrasound done, no kidney problems ever presented, and I was let go. I have had slight gastro troubles before that, but nothing major, and only occasionally, usually minor heartburn and watery stools. I also seemed to have minor bouts of nausea even more rarely, maybe four times a year with no vomiting. I used to think most of this minor gastro trouble was nothing more than my diet. I ate a lot of spicy and fried foods, but I also ate a lot of salads and stuff. I also used to drink lots of soda when younger and had a lot of caffeine, usually tea and coffee. I am not obese, do not smoke and hardly ever drink alcohol. I have cut down on a lot of this bad stuff lately.

During this vomiting phase when I was hospitalized, I strained so hard at one point that I ended up with upper chest pain for about a day. It was not bad enough to think a broken rib, so I thought it was just strain. I ate light foods in the hospital, since I tend to hate hospital food. When I got home, I started to eat harder foods, and began to get a severe gastric pain that happened like four times in the middle of my chest, like between my rib cage. I have no idea if it was related to food, the straining, or what, but it all went away after two weeks. I thought my digestive process had to get used to harder food. Doc told me that if it came back, he'd check me for gallbladder, even though the pain wasn't in the gallbladder area exactly. Lo and behold, the pain never came back.

Lately, however, I have noticed a similar pain start up again. This time, with more persistent nausea that is vague and a bit discomforting. The pain is not in the right side of my chest, as where liver pain would be, but in the middle of my chest. I have also noticed increased "stomach gurgles" higher in my chest than I have noticed before. My stomach and chest feels tighter and sometimes I feel a very minor burning sensation that is not too annoying, but like a warmth feeling.

I thought first heart, so I had an EKG done. No stress test, I don't believe, just an EKG. Blood pressure fine. Oxygen levels fine. Seemed to rule out heart problems. No coughing or wheezing, but occasional clearing of the throat with minor mucus, but only occasionally. I have had sinus trouble.

Other than this, I am healthy, but I'm wondering now if this is liver? I don't know if creatinine levels have anything to do with liver, nor do I know if they are high again, but I know liver disease can present with vague nausea and chest pain. Not obese nor do I drink alcohol, so I sort of thought that wouldn't be it, but I have heard about non-alcohol fatty liver disease. I'm 32 years old, and the thought of cirrhosis or things like that is sort of scary. I wonder diet and liver problems are linked?

[puppy1]

I was having pain on my left side for three days and then it shifted to the right side, I was in pad pain for four days.
I finally went to the ER and CT was taken and Ultrsound. Findings was lesion in my liver, coupling with kidney stones.
I was told that there was nothing to do but stay on a soft diet and lots of liquids. The ER doctor also told me to see my doctor and make sure I was followed up "nothing to do now"

With all the pain, nausea and being diagnosed with a "lesion in my liver" I ask why can't something be done, is there no medicine that can help this. I am quite concerned, 12 hours in ER could be quite distressful 11/25/06
Thank you
Pat Saunders

[Grumpy Mike]

Tylenol (paracetamol in the UK) is hard for the liver to break down; an enzyme does this, but with difficulty. Alcohol suppresses this enzyme, so the tylenol can build up in the liver and cause problems. Do not mix alcohol and tylenol.

[Aub]

Recently, I have read reports that Tylenol can cause liver disease if taken with substances like alcohol, cold medicine, etc.   I am not sure what the forum MD thinks about this.

[Shebah]

It sounds more like acid. Acid can cause sinus problems and can sometimes be felt in the heart area. You should have an upper scope. Hope you feel better soon.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Liver disease is possible.  A reasonable initial workup would be an abdominal ultrasound as well as liver function tests.  This can also evaluate the gallbladder.

Other causes would be various causes of dyspepsia - GERD, an ulcer, or inflammation of the upper digestive tract.  An upper endoscopy or upper GI series can be considered.  I would also test for a bacteria known as H Pylori - which is associated with ulcers and inflammation.  

If negative, a stress test can be considered to rule out heart disease.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_