Who are hepatologists?
Hepatologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing, managing, and treating diseases and disorders related to the liver, gallbladder, biliary system, and pancreas. These highly trained specialists have great expertise in the study of hepatology, a branch of gastroenterology.
To become a hepatologist, one must complete medical school, undergo a three-year internal medicine residency, and then clear an American Board of Internal Medicine certification exam. They also pursue a gastroenterology fellowship focusing on hepatology and pass a board certification exam in transplant hepatology. This specialized training gives them the knowledge and skills to manage complex liver-related conditions effectively.
Hepatologists typically work in their own clinics, intensive care units, liver specialist centers, high-dependency units, and hospitals. They may collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as oncologists, to provide comprehensive care for patients with complex liver diseases.
What conditions can a hepatologist treat?
You can see a hepatologist for a wide range of liver and hepatic system-related conditions, including:
- Hepatitis infections
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Ascites
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Jaundice
- Primary biliary cholangitis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cancer
- Gallstones
- Gallbladder cancer
- Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)
- Bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis), adenomas (noncancerous tumors), and cancer.
Signs you need to see a hepatologist near you
Often, problems within the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas show clear signs and can be treated if detected early on. However, conditions like liver disease, if left untreated over a long period of time, can cause scarring (also called cirrhosis) and lead to liver failure, which is life-threatening and requires liver transplantation. Therefore, it is vital to recognize the signs of such conditions and start treatment as soon as possible.
Here are some symptoms that may indicate liver disease and other hepatic diseases:
- Abdominal or belly pain (that is so severe that you cannot stay still) and swelling
- Yellowing on your skin and in the whites of the eyes is called jaundice (which might be more challenging to spot on Black or brown skin).
- Itchy skin
- Dark urine or blood in the urine
- Pale stools
- Unintentional weight loss
- Chronic fatigue or tiredness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling in the legs or ankles
- Chronic diarrhea
- Bruising easily
- Loss of appetite
- Fluid buildup in the belly and feeling sore or tender in the upper belly can indicate pancreatitis.
- Pain localized in the upper abdomen that radiates in the right shoulder and lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours can be a sign of gallstones.
You may need a referral from your primary care doctor to see a hepatologist. Typically, a primary care physician will first understand your symptoms, medical history, and family history. They will also evaluate your risk for certain hepatic conditions. For example, if you previously had gallstones, you may be at greater risk for pancreatitis. Your primary care practitioner will order some blood tests and perform a physical exam. If your test results and findings indicate a hepatic condition, you will need to see a hepatologist. Your doctor may also recommend regular screenings if you have a history of alcohol use disorder, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, Crohn's disease, metabolic syndrome, and noticed significant weight loss.
What are some procedures performed by a hepatologist?
Hepatologists perform various procedures as part of their diagnostic and treatment approaches. These procedures include:
- Blood testing: It helps to detect signs of infections. These can include pancreatitis and gallstones, and inflammation of hepatic organs.
- Imaging tests: These involve ultrasounds. It assists in identifying cysts, gallstones, and tumors.
- Cholescintigraphy scans: These tests use a small amount of radioactive material to help click pictures of the biliary tract.
- Endoscopies: Doctors perform these with long tubes having cameras. It helps to provide internal images of the hepatic system, providing a better view of a patient's gallbladder and bile ducts.
- Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scans: It is an imaging technique for identifying issues with the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
- Biopsies: Doctors can use biopsies to look for suspicious and troublesome growths on your hepatic organs. It usually helps discover tumors and cysts.
Moreover, you can visit a liver specialist to understand the symptoms, conditions, and procedures mentioned.
Some ways to take care of your liver
Keeping your liver healthy is vital for overall well-being, as the organ plays a crucial role in various bodily functions. It helps with detoxification, metabolism, and nutrient storage. Here are some tips you can follow to help maintain a healthy liver:
- Consume a healthy diet: Adopt a balanced diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats. Cut down on processed foods, saturated fats, and added sugars.
- Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can result in liver damage. So, it is essential to drink alcohol in moderation or avoid it altogether.
- Exercise regularly: You must engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, swimming, or yoga. It is beneficial in improving liver health and overall fitness as it enhances insulin function and burns triglycerides, a form of fat in the blood.
- Avoid unnecessary medications and supplements: Some medicines and supplements can harm the liver. Thus, use them only as prescribed or recommended by healthcare professionals.
- Be cautious with herbal liver remedies: Some herbal remedies, like turmeric, milk thistle, and astragalus, can harm the liver due to insufficient research. So, consult a liver specialist before taking any herbal supplements.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: An unhealthy weight contributes to fatty liver disease. Hence, aim to achieve and maintain your weight through diet and exercise.
- Practice safe sex and avoid risky behaviors: Many conditions, including hepatitis C, can spread through unprotected sex. Taking precautions can reduce the risk of infection.
- Get vaccinated: Vaccinations are available for hepatitis A and B, which can protect against these viral infections.
- Regular medical check-ups: Regular health check-ups can help monitor liver health and detect potential issues early on. Individual health needs may vary, and it is always best to talk to a professional or a hepatologist for personalized advice on maintaining liver health.
Find a qualified liver specialist or hepatologist near you
A healthy liver contributes to a healthier and happier life. So, if you are experiencing troublesome liver-related issues, symptoms, or conditions, it is time to seek the help of a hepatologist.
Finding a desired specialist can be challenging, but Zocdoc aims to simplify the process. Start with signing up for a free account. Enter your location, schedule, and insurance. The user-friendly portal will provide a complete list of certified medical professionals. You can schedule same-day appointments.
If you wish to see an in-network provider, select your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu on the Zocdoc website. However, if you are not able to find your specific plan, you can upload a photo of your insurance card and allow Zocdoc to scan it and show you a plan that best matches your card. Note that you can only use this option for medical insurance cards, not dental or vision. If you need assistance uploading your card or have any other query regarding the platform, reach out to Zocdoc's service team. For other insurance-related information, make sure you go through Zocdoc's patient help center.
Each doctor's profile on Zocdoc includes their background, education, specializations, experience, and location details, thus helping you make an informed decision. Verified reviews from previous patients offer honest feedback on their experiences, allowing you to choose a top-rated provider. For added convenience, you can book video consultations with a hepatologist near you before meeting them in person. Profiles of such providers display a purple icon.
All Zocdoc appointments are free, secure, and quick.
Statistics related to hepatology
A report published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information marks the number of gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and advanced practice physicians practicing in the country in 2018. Around 7,296 and 824 hepatology providers worked in the adult and pediatric workforce, respectively.
The Cleveland Clinic analysis, last reviewed in 2021, estimates that about 30 million people, or 1 in 10, have some liver disease. Approximately 5.5 million have cirrhosis, often known as chronic liver disease. Also, due to increased obesity rates, certain types of liver disease are becoming more prevalent in the country. Over 20% to 30% of people are affected by non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease (NAFD).
Hepatitis A outbreaks have been a focus of the Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH) of the CDC since March 2017. As of July 7, 2023, about 37 states had publicly reported around 44,896 cases, approximately 27,428 (61%) hospitalizations, and nearly 423 deaths.
Sources
WebMD[1]
Medical News Today
British Liver Trust
WebMD[2]
National Center for Biotechnology Information[1]
National Center for Biotechnology Information[2]
Cleveland Clinic
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Healthline
Mayo Clinic
Mount Sinai
Johns Hopkins Medicine
American College of Gastroenterology
