Liver Disorders Sourcebook

Basic Consumer Health Information about the Liver and How It Works, Liver Diseases, Including Cancer, Cirrhosis, Hepatitis, and Toxic and Drug Related Diseases, Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Liver, Laboratory Tests, Radiology Tests, and Facts about Liver Transplantation

Along with a Section on Support Groups, a Glossary, and Resource Listings

The liver is the largest organ in the body and plays a vital role in regulating life processes. Each year more than 25 million Americans are afflicted with liver and gall bladder diseases, and more than 27,000 die of cirrhosis. Experts believe that more than half of all liver diseases could be prevented.

Liver Disorders Sourcebook contains basic consumer health information about the liver, how it works, and how to keep it healthy through diet, vaccination, and other preventive care measures. Readers will learn about the symptoms and treatment options for such diseases as hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, liver failure, cancer of the liver, and disorders related to drugs and other toxins. Also included are a glossary and directories of support groups and additional resources.

The book's 61 chapters are arranged in ten parts:

• Liver Mechanics and Maintenance
• Medical Tests
• Liver Distress
• The Effects of Drugs on the Liver
• Liver Cancer
• Hepatitis
• Genetically Based Liver Disease
• Other Diseases of the Liver
• Liver Transplantation
• Additional Help and Information - includes a glossary, a directory of organizations and support groups, and a list of liver transplant centers. All contact data has been fully verified and includes web site and e-mail addresses as available.

Completing the Sourcebook is a comprehensive index. Material in this book has been collected from a wide range of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and periodicals.

What reviewers are saying . . .

"A valuable resource." - American Reference Books Annual, 2001

"Recommended reference source." - Booklist, American Library Association, June 2000

"This title is recommended for health sciences and public libraries with consumer health collections." - E-Streams, October 2000