Symptom 17. Enlarged Liver: The Hepatic Hurdles of Amyloidosis
Like a stealthy infiltrator, amyloidosis can creep into your liver, one of the most vital organs in your body. Imagine the liver as a bustling city carrying out myriad tasks – from detoxification to digestion assistance. Amyloidosis can cause this vibrant city to swell up, leading to an enlarged liver or hepatomegaly.
Amyloid proteins, the unwanted invaders, settle within the liver’s architecture, causing it to bloat. It’s like the city’s structures expanding beyond their boundaries, disrupting the normal functioning. This unusual growth might not be noticeable initially but as the liver size increases, it starts to overstep, taking up more space in the abdominal cavity.
An enlarged liver, also known as hepatomegaly, often signals its presence through a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the upper right part of your abdomen. You might not even realize that it’s your liver demanding attention. It could be as subtle as a mild discomfort while bending over or a persistent unease in the abdominal region. However, these small signs are breadcrumbs that can lead to the diagnosis of amyloidosis.
The intrusion of amyloid proteins doesn’t merely cause physical enlargement. It affects the liver’s performance too. Your liver, the body’s detoxifying powerhouse, can struggle to purify your blood effectively, which can lead to a series of complications ranging from nausea to jaundice, signifying that the city’s services are on the brink of disruption.
These challenges serve as a reminder that amyloidosis is the puppeteer pulling the strings, underlying the urgent need for management and intervention. The hepatic hurdles are not the end of the road but a call to action against the pervasive enemy that is amyloidosis. (17)
