Liver Disease Specialist
Daniel Reich, MD
Gastroenterologist located in Queens, Forest Hills, NY
Your liver is the largest organ in your body and supports many vital functions. Liver disease includes any condition that affects your liver’s normal functions and may cause symptoms that lower your overall quality of life. Board-certified gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician, Daniel Reich, MD, in Forest Hills, Queens, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease. To schedule an appointment at the New York City office, call or book a visit online today.
Liver Disease Q&A
What is liver disease?
Liver disease is a general medical term that includes conditions that affect the function of your liver. Your liver supports digestion, serves as a storage area for energy, cleans your blood, and eliminates toxic substances from your body.
Liver disease impairs these functions, which may cause symptoms and conditions that affect your overall health and wellness.
What causes liver disease?
You may develop liver disease from a number of causes. The most common include:
Viral infection
Viral infections are the most common cause of liver disease. This includes hepatitis A, B, and C. These viruses cause inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).
Toxic substances
Drug and alcohol abuse may increase your risk of developing liver disease. Over time, the excessive use of these toxic substances may cause hepatitis, fatty liver, or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
Underlying health condition
You may also develop liver disease from an underlying inherited health condition such as hemochromatosis or Wilson’s disease.
What are liver disease symptoms?
Liver disease symptoms vary in type and severity. In many cases, symptoms may not occur until your liver disease has caused irreversible liver damage.
Common symptoms of liver disease include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Abdominal swelling
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Change in urine or stool color
If you’re experiencing these symptoms or have concerns about liver disease, Dr. Reich can help.
What happens during a liver disease evaluation?
When you visit Dr. Reich with concerns about liver disease, he conducts a comprehensive evaluation.
During your exam, he asks detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, and the types of medications and supplements you take. He also asks about your drug and alcohol use.
To determine the root cause of your symptoms, he runs diagnostic tests, such as:
- Blood work
- Urinalysis
- Stool analysis
- Ultrasound
- Liver biopsy
The information gathered during your exam helps him determine the cause of your liver disease and the severity of the damage.
How is liver disease treated?
Dr. Reich develops individualized treatment plans for liver disease based on the cause of your disease, severity of your symptoms, and degree of liver damage.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Activity modification
- Abstinence from drugs and alcohol
- Lifestyle changes (healthy diet, exercise program)
- Antiviral medication
Dr. Reich schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your liver function and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
For serious cases of liver disease that lead to liver failure, Dr. Reich recommends a liver transplant.
To schedule a liver disease evaluation, call the office of Daniel Reich MD, or book an appointment online today.