Cholestatic liver disease is a condition that causes an obstruction of bile flow. Liver cells produce bile, which passes through a tubular transport system within the liver to the gallbladder. Bile moves from the gallbladder into the small...
Lisinopril is a prescription medication that belongs to class of medications called the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors. The drug is used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat high blood pressure. It is also...
Four primary liver enzymes can be elevated in the bloodstream, indicating possible damage to the liver. These include the transaminases AST and ALT, also known as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, respectively and the...
Liver function tests are biochemical measurements of blood levels of various substances to assess overall liver health. Although the term "liver function tests" is commonly used, it is a misnomer because none of these measurements directly assess...
Phototherapy is an essential option for adults in the treatment of certain skin diseases such as psoriasis, a chronic, non-communicable disease known for its reddish, inflamed lesions with silvery, or sometimes whitish, scales of dead skin....
Anadrol 50 is the brand name equivalent of the drug oxymetholone, an anabolic steroid used to treat anemia. Anadrol 50 is a synthetic hormone that is derived from the male hormone testosterone. In addition to increasing red blood cell production,...
Whey protein makes up approximately 20 percent of milk protein and is used often by bodybuilders and athletes to boost athletic performance. It is found in foods, such as ricotta cheese and yogurt, and is available in supplement form. Research...
The liver, the largest organ in the human body, produces bile, changes food into energy and cleans alcohol and poisons from the blood. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library reports that a variety of drugs may cause damage to the liver. Severe...
The term alkaline phosphatase applies generally to a group of isoenzymes distributed throughout your body, frequently called ALP proteins. According to "Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011," the isoenzymes of greatest clinical importance in adults are...
When a patient's liver is failing and all medical treatments have ceased working, the next step may be a liver transplant. The patient receiving the transplant must meet certain criteria before she can get a new liver match.
Whey protein is a popular supplement with multiple health benefits, and is considered the "Gold Standard" of protein because it is the most nutritious protein available, according to the Whey Protein Institute. It is popular among athletes and...
Soy lecithin, which is derived from soybeans, is a type of lipid that is needed by every living cell in the body. Cell membranes, protective sheaths surrounding the brain, nerve cells and muscles are partially composed of this fatty acid...
Excessive levels of liver enzymes circulating in the bloodstream indicate that damage or inflammation has occurred in the cells of the liver. This can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including alcohol abuse, long-term use of certain...
Oxycodone, a schedule II prescription narcotic, has benefit as a pain reliever for moderate to severe pain, but also has great potential for abuse. Both time-release oxycodone, called oxycontin and oxycodone combined with acetaminophen, sold as...
Several muscle-building products remain available for legal purchase, according to a 2009 paper by the World Anti-Doping Agency. That list of prohibited substances often changes as governmental bodies, sports agencies, and work places announce...
Beta-carotene is an organic yellow-orange pigment that gives plants --- and the foods derived from these plants, such as carrots, mangoes, yams and papayas --- their color. It is just one possible molecule that your body can use to manufacture...
Your liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of your abdominal cavity, just beneath the diaphragm and on top of the stomach. It is a dark reddish-brown color and weighs approximately 3 lbs. At any given time, the liver has about 13...
Millions of people have type 2 diabetes, in which the body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond to insulin the way it should. A drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes is metformin, an oral hypoglycemic (lowers blood sugar)....
Uroxatral, also known as alfuzosin, is a prescription drug used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland that often occurs as men get older. Because this condition can cause urinary urgency, frequent...
Cascara sagrada is an herbal supplement used primarily as a laxative to treat constipation. Other medicinal uses include treating cancer, gallstones and liver disease, although research has not yet demonstrated the plant to be effective in...
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin important for several biological processes, particularly bone formation and immune function. Vitamin D is either absorbed from food or produced in the skin after exposure to sunlight. In recent decades,...
OxyContin is a popular prescription medication used for the treatment of pain. As a long-acting narcotic analgesic, OxyContin is an effective drug for maintaining baseline pain control. Unfortunately, OxyContin can produce unwanted side effects in...
Keeping your liver healthy is essential to living a healthy life. Your liver has the all-important job of breaking down toxins that you have introduced into your body, either through the hormones your body makes, the foods you eat and medications...
The controversy swirling around Superdrol stems from the fact that it is, essentially, a designer steroid. To circumvent the laws and concerns surrounding steroids, it has been marketed in various countries as a prohormone. Regardless of how it is...
Vitamin D is nicknamed the sunshine vitamin since it can be made when your skin is exposed to sunlight. You can also get vitamin D through your diet and supplements. This important fat soluble vitamin is stored in your body and is essential for...
Acetylsalicylic is the chemical name for the common pain reliever aspirin. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that works to relieve pain by reducing the amount of chemicals in the body that cause pain, inflammation and fever, according to...
Obesity can contribute to a nonalcoholic liver disease known as steatohepatitis, which affects the liver's ability to digest fats. While the disease previously had no known treatments other than lifestyle modifications for weight loss, a study...
Liver function tests (LFT) are blood tests that measure enzyme and protein levels in your blood. Abnormal results on LFT indicate that there's a problem affecting your liver, a situation that warrants further investigation. Liver function is...
Drug-induced liver damage is either cytotoxic, or cholestatic or a combination of the two, according to the University of Southern California Department of Surgery. Certain drugs can induce fatty change in liver cells rather than necrosis, which...
