The liver cysts , also called cysts liver , are sacks that may be empty or filled with liquid and which are located in the liver tissue. The causes of its appearance can be various and, generally, they are benign and do not involve serious health problems. However, they should be monitored by a doctor, since if they increase in size considerably, they can alter liver functions and cause specific symptoms. Likewise, it must be verified at all times that none of these cysts can lead to a malignant tumor. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we are going to explain what are the symptoms and the medical and natural treatment of cysts in the liver.
Table of Contents
Why do cysts appear in the liver
The causes of cysts in the liver are not entirely known, but specialists have pointed out that, sometimes, these fluid-filled sacs could have a genetic origin and, in others, be a consequence of the disease, specific conditions or diseases. Next, we detail what the possible causes of liver cysts may be :
- Bile duct abnormalities (common bile duct cysts).
- Caroli’s disease.
- Congenital liver fibrosis.
- Renal failure .
- Infectious disease caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. In this case, they are called hydatid cysts.
- Polycystic liver disease.
- Cystadenoma.
- Spleen or gallbladder malfunction.
- Intracreaneal aneurysms.
Cysts in the liver: symptoms
Generally, most liver cysts are benign, small and do not cause symptoms in the patient. However, when the cysts are larger and exceed 5 cm in diameter, they cause considerable damage to liver tissue and cause specific symptoms, altering the normal functions of this organ. The symptoms of cysts in the liver that can occur are those that we list below:
- Pain and swelling in the upper right area of the abdomen.
- Jaundice: yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin.
- Nausea and / or vomiting.
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling of fullness
- Malaise and irritability
Although it is frequent, one of the complications of this condition is the so-called intracystic hemorrhage, which can cause very intense abdominal pain and the ovarian cyst to increase in size.
Cysts in the liver: medical treatment
When the cysts in the liver are simple and do not cause symptoms in the patient, it is not necessary to initiate a specific medical treatment. However, the doctor may recommend imaging tests to check for changes in the size of the cysts and to ensure that they are not malignant.
Those cysts that are larger and that cause symptoms in the patient or that may involve some type of major complication, will require specific medical treatment. It will be determined based on the underlying cause and the symptoms that occur. The procedures or treatments that can be used are:
- Surgery for cysts that cause symptoms or have complications, such as bleeding, infection, rupture, etc. There are several surgical techniques that can be used and the specialist will indicate which is the best option for each case: fenestration, liver resection, percutaneous treatment, etc.
- In the case of hydatid cysts, antiparasitic drugs will be administered for a specified period of time.
- Administration of antibiotic medications in the case of cysts that have become infected.
Cysts in the liver: natural treatment
Medical treatment can be complemented by natural treatment for liver cysts. In this sense, there are several natural remedies and measures that can help improve liver health and the functioning of this organ, contributing to its cleansing and detoxification. Let’s see which are the most effective and important.
Natural medicine
- Take 2 cups of an infusion made with medicinal plants that stimulate liver functions and prevent the recurrence of this type of cysts. The best alternatives are plants such as boldo, milk thistle, dandelion or sage. We show more options in the article Medicinal plants for the liver .
- Taking 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil mixed with 3 drops of lemon juice in the morning is excellent for naturally detoxifying the liver. It is advisable to consume this preparation about 30 minutes before having breakfast.
Reduce stress
It is important to reduce daily stress and eliminate accumulated tensions, since these have a very negative influence on the health of the entire organism, including the liver. Therefore, stress, nervousness, and anxiety are conditions that can increase the risk of liver disease. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we show some good techniques for reducing stress .
Prevention measures
Despite the fact that most liver cysts have a genetic origin, there are some prevention measures that can be taken to avoid cysts that, on the contrary, are caused by parasitic infections:
- Do not touch or kiss dogs that have not been dewormed or vaccinated, as the Echinococcus granulosus parasite is usually common in canids.
- Vaccinate our dogs.
- Wash vegetables and fruit before eating.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Always drink bottled water.
Recommended diet in case of liver cyst
Diet also plays a very important role in the case of liver cysts, as there are a number of foods that are excellent for improving liver health, favoring its cleansing and preventing lesions in this organ from worsening. A healthy and balanced diet should be followed in which there is no lack of foods such as the following:
- Foods rich in antioxidants .
- Vegetables such as carrot, onion, artichoke, broccoli, chard, spinach, arugula, beet, garlic.
- Fruits like avocado, citrus, strawberry, pear, and apple.
- Olive oil.
- Beer yeast.
- Whole grains
- Turmeric.
- Walnuts.
In addition, you should drink plenty of water during the day and try to cook all food in a healthy way. In the following FastlyHealarticle we show in more detail which are the most recommended foods to protect the liver , as well as those that should be moderate or avoided.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Liver cysts: symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Digestive system category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.