Liver Diseases Most Recent
MD
With the rapidly increasing numbers of elders in North American Society, the prevalence of those living with dementia is clearly on the increase.
MD, FRCPC, FACP, AGSF
When I started out in medicine, differentiating between the various causes of hepatobiliary disease was extraordinarily difficult. It is not easy now, but modern imaging techniques have certainly helped us dramatically.
The prevalence of gallstones has been increasing among the aging population. Common sequelae of cholelithiasis include asymptomatic gallstones, biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, and gallstone pancreatitis.
The prevalence of chronic liver disease is increasing in older people. The presentation of these diseases is often asymptomatic or nonspecific, so they easily go undiagnosed.
The liver undergoes substantial changes in structure and function in old age. There are age-related changes in liver mass, blood flow, and hepatocyte and sinusoidal cell morphology.
Ascites is the accumulation of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. In over 80% of cases, it is a result of cirrhosis.
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MD, FRCPC, FACP, AGSF
MD, CCFP, FCFP, FRCPC
This article will review the epidemiology, etiology, presentation, diagnosis, management and prevention of acute viral hepatitis (Types A, B and C), with specific reference to the elderly population.