A good doctor can feel the liver during a physical exam. The size and weight of your liver increases naturally with age. For children, the liver is typically measured by its span, through its thickest part from top to bottom. Adult livers are measured by length.

Using ultrasound to estimate the average diameter of an adult liver size varies by age and can be:

• 6.4 cm for 1 to 3 months
• 7.6 cm for 4 to 9 months
• 8.5 cm for 1 to 5 years
• 10.5 cm for 5 to 11 years
• 11.5 to 12.1 cm for 12 to 16 years
• 13.5 cm +/- 1.7 cm for adult women
• 14.5 cm +/- 1.6 cm for adult men

Body shape, weight, and sex can also affect the size of the liver.

To find out why you have hepatomegaly, doctor should order a variety of tests, such as:

• CBC: a complete blood count to check for an abnormal number of blood cells.
• Liver enzymes (evaluate liver function).
• Abdominal X-ray, a noninvasive X-ray study to evaluate abdominal organs.
• CT scan for high-resolution images of the abdomen.
• MRI for high-resolution images of specific abdominal organs.
• Ultrasound to evaluate the liver and other abdominal organs.
• If a doctor suspects a more serious condition, they may recommend a liver biopsy.

Allopathic treatment options depend upon the underlying disorders that cause the hepatomegaly. Some of the allopathic treatments an allopathic doctor will recommend may include:

Medications and treatments for liver failure or infections like hepatitis C:

Lactulose (Homeopathic sweet tablets), it is a laxative which helps the body to remove toxins that can build up when the liver is failing. It also helps to prevent the growth of bacteria that produce ammonia in the bowel, which can affect brain function. It is important to have at least 2 to 3 bowel movements per day.

Ascites and peripheral oedema can be a common complication of cirrhosis. Spironolactone and Furosemide are diuretics, can help the body get rid of excess fluid.

Antibiotics such as co-trimoxazole – ascites can become infected; antibiotics can be used to help treat the infection or may be used in lower doses to prevent infection.

Portal hypertension and variceal bleeding – propranolol and carvedilol – known as beta blockers, reduce the risk of bleeding by helping to lower the high blood pressure in the main vein that takes blood to the liver (portal hypertension) and can help to reduce the risk or severity of bleeding.

Steroids – for example prednisolone can help to reduce inflammation in the liver. Steroids are usually prescribed as a reducing course. It is best to take this medication with/after food.

Calcium and vitamin D supplementation – can be prescribed for bone protection whilst taking a course of steroids. The calcium and vitamin D supplement may be stopped once the course of steroids has been completed.

Multivitamins: thiamine – vitamin B supplement helps prevent toxins building up in the body due to the liver failing and supplement for vitamin B deficiency.

Side effects

All allopathic medication is associated with side effects. Be very careful when writing prescription.

Chemotherapy

The most common chemotherapy drugs for treating liver cancer include:

• Gemcitabine (Gemzar).
• Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin).
• Cisplatin.
• Doxorubicin (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin).
• 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
• Capecitabine (Xeloda).
• Mitoxantrone (Novantrone).

Sometimes, combinations of 2 or 3 of these drugs are used. GEMOX (gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin) is one option for people who are fairly healthy and may tolerate more than one drug. 5-FU based chemotherapy, for example with FOLFOX (5-FU, oxaliplatin and leucovorin), is another option for people with bad liver diseases.

Radiation for live cancer

Radiotherapy uses radiation, such as x-rays, to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy:

• External radiotherapy targets radiation at cancer from a machine outside of the body.
• Internal radiotherapy means having radiotherapy from inside the body.

Radiotherapy is not used as much as other treatments for liver cancer. It may not be a good option for some patients whose liver has been greatly damaged by diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Radiation can be helpful in treating:

• Liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.
• Liver cancer that cannot be treated with ablation or embolization or did not respond well to those treatments.
• Liver cancer that has spread to other areas such as the brain or bones.
• People with pain because of large liver cancers.
• People with a tumor thrombus (a collection of liver cancer cells) blocking the portal vein.

Source

Treating the source for metastatic cancer. Treatment for lymphoma or leukemia, depending upon the type, degree of spread, and patient’s general health.

Surgery types

• Partial hepatectomy (liver resection).
• Liver transplant.
• Liver ablation.

Habits

Quitting alcohol and any other drugs.

Homeopathic Treatment for hepatomegaly

Unhealthy lifestyle weakens liver; unhealthy liver cannot maintain its normal function to control cholesterol, infections (immune system), inflammations (minerals deficiency) etc. in our body. That’s why I (Dr. Qaisar Ahmed) recommend start treatment of hepatomegaly from – vascular diseases treatment if take a nail in, from liver, never decrease cholesterol levels of your patients if you want to see them healthy and happy; just treat the inflammation present in their bodies and control/treat their malnutrition (minerals – especially “Magnesium”).

Here are few Homeopathic medicines for hepatomegaly, for almost every type of hepatic abnormalities and for different types if inflammations and aneurism in bodies:

Cardus Marianus

The action of Cardus Marianus is centered in the liver, and portal system – hepatomegaly, soreness, pain, jaundice. Has specific relation to the vascular system. Abuse of alcoholic beverages, especially beer. Varicose veins and ulcers. Diseases of miners, associated with asthma. Dropsical conditions depending on liver disease, and when due to pelvic congestion and hepatic disease. Disturbs sugar metabolism. Influenza when liver is affected. Debility. Hemorrhages, especially connected with hepatic disease, dropsical accumulation of water in abdomen – ascetic.

The next field is bleeding consequent to liver damage, liver pain and sensitiveness, feel fatigued or tired and have bouts of nausea and vomiting due to Liver Cirrhosis. Taste bitter. Aversion to salt meat. Appetite small; tongue furred; nausea; retching; vomiting of green, acid fluid. Stitches in left side of stomach, near spleen. Gallstone disease with hepatomegaly.

Pain in region of liver, fullness and soreness, with moist skin. Constipation; stools hard, difficult, knotty; alternates with diarrhea. Stools bright yellow. Swelling of gallbladder with painful tenderness. Hyperemia of liver, with jaundice. Cirrhosis, with dropsy. Varicose ulcers. Pain in hip-joint, spreading through buttocks and down thigh; worse from stooping. Difficult rising.

Floric Acidum

Alcoholism. Cicatrix. Coccygodynia. Decubitus. Dropsies. Fistula. Hemorrhoids. Hands perspiration. Headache. Hepatomegaly. Liver induration. Peritonitis. Perspiration. Pityriasis. Satyriasis. Spleen diseases. Suppuration. Varicose. Whitlow. Bones necrosis. Red blotches on body which tend to desquamate. Frequent eructation. Nausea, eructation and lassitude. Bilious vomiting. Frequent flatus and belching. Ascites. Hepatomegaly. Pinching in the region of the spleen (extending to the hips). Spleen pain and discomfort. Watery stools in the morning. Burning pains on small spots of the skin. Itching of the skin. Elevated red blotches. Red, round, elevated blood vesicles.

Conium Maculate

Severe aching in and around the liver. Hepatomegaly. Chronic jaundice, and pains in right hypochondrium – sensitive, bruised, swollen, knife-like pains. Painful tightness. Frequent stool; hard, with tenesmus with weakness after every stool. Heat and burning in rectum during stool. debility, hypochondriasis, urinary troubles, weakened memory, sexual debility. Cancerous diathesis. Arterio-sclerosis. Caries of sternum. Enlarged glands.

Mercurius Dulcis

Hepatomegaly. Remittent bilious attacks. Pallor, flabby bloating, and turgid flaccidity. Inflammation with plastic exudate. Bilious fevers; peritonitis and meningitis with plastic exudate. Dropsies due to combined renal and cardiac diseases, especially with jaundice. Cirrhosis of the liver, especially in the hypertrophic form.

Offensive breath; salivation; sore gums. Ulcers. Tongue black. Constant flow of dark, putrid offensive saliva. Ulceration of throat, with dysphagia. Granular pharyngitis. Nausea and vomiting. Cyclic vomiting of infants. Stool scanty, bloody mucus, with bile, and constant desire, without tenesmus or dark-green, watery, with griping. Anus sore and burning. Dysentery: small stools of mucus and blood, covered with bile. Skin flabby and ill nourished. Swollen glands. Phagedenic ulcers. Copper-colored eruptions.

Chelidonium Majus

A prominent liver remedy, covering many of the direct reflex symptoms of diseased conditions of that organ. The jaundiced skin, and especially the constant pain under inferior angle of right scapula, are certain indications. Hepatomegaly. The great general lethargy and indisposition. Serous effusions. Bilious complication during gestation.

Tongue yellow, with imprint of teeth; large and flabby. Taste bitter, pasty. Bad odor from mouth. Nausea, vomiting. Hepatomegaly. Pain through stomach to back and right shoulder-blade. Gastralgia. Eating relieves temporarily, especially when accompanied with hepatic symptoms. Jaundice due to hepatic and gall-bladder obstruction. Gall-colic. Distention. Fermentation and sluggish bowels. Constriction across, as by a string. Gallstones.

Constipation; stools hard, round balls, like sheep’s dung, bright yellow, pasty; clay-colored, stools float in water; alternation of diarrhea and constipation. Burning and itching of anus. Dry heat of skin; itches, yellow. Painful red pimples and pustules. Old, spreading, offensive ulcers. Wilted skin. Sallow, cold, clammy.

Hydrastis Canadensis

Sore feeling in stomach. Weak digestion. Bitter taste. Pain as from a hard-cornered substance. Gone feeling. Pulsation in epigastrium. Cannot eat bread or vegetables. Atonic dyspepsia. Ulcers and cancer. Gastritis.

Hepatomegaly. Liver torpid, tender. Jaundice. Gallstones. Dull dragging in right groin with cutting sensation into right testicle. Dull, heavy, dragging pain and stiffness, particularly across lumbar region.

Myrica Cerifera

Persistent sleeplessness. Jaundice with bronze-yellow skin. Hepatomegaly. Face yellow, Itching and stinging. Creeping sensation. Tongue furred, with bad taste in mouth, and nausea. Tenacious, thick, nauseous secretion. Taste bitter and nauseous, with offensive breath. Complete loss appetite. Scanty, yellow, frothy urine.

Lycopodium

Failures of the digestive powers, where the function of the liver is seriously disturbed. Hepatomegaly. Atony. Malnutrition. Mild temperaments of lymphatic constitution, with catarrhal tendencies; older persons, where the skin shows yellowish spots, earthy complexion, uric acid diathesis, etc; also precocious, weakly children.

Desire for sweet things. Food tastes sour. Sour eructation. Great weakness of digestion. Bulimia, with much bloating. After eating, pressure in stomach, with bitter taste in mouth. Eating ever so little creates fullness. Night hunger. Hiccough. Severe acidity. Sinking sensation.

Deep-seated, progressive, chronic diseases. Carcinoma. Emaciation. Debility in morning. Marked regulating influence upon the glandular (sebaceous) secretions. Pre-senility. Ascites. Weak immune system; has poor circulation, cold extremities. Pains come and go suddenly. Sensitive to noise and odors. Cirrhosis of liver. Atrophied long-standing Cirrhosis. Hepatitis may be predominantly present.

Ascites. Hernia, right side. Liver sensitive. Brown spots on abdomen. Dropsy, due to hepatic disease. Hepatitis, atrophic from of nutmeg liver. Diarrhea. Inactive intestinal canal. Ineffectual urging. Stool hard, difficult, small, incomplete. Hemorrhoids; very painful to touch, aching.

Arsenic Album

A profoundly acting remedy on every organ and tissue. Its clear-cut characteristic symptoms and correspondence to many severe types of disease make its homeopathic employment constant and certain.

Liver Cirrhosis with fatigue as the main symptom. The patient feels totally exhausted from doing a little labor. Cannot bear the sight or smell of food. Great thirst; drinks much, but little at a time. Nausea, retching, vomiting, after eating or drinking. Anxiety in pit of stomach. Burning pain. Craves acids and coffee. Heartburn: gulping up of acid and bitter substances which seem to excoriate the throat. Long-lasting eructation. Vomiting of blood, bile, green mucus, or brown-black mixed with blood. Stomach extremely irritable; seems raw, as if torn. Gastralgia from slightest food or drink. Dyspepsia from vinegar, acids, ice-cream, ice-water, tobacco. Hepatomegaly. Faintness, icy coldness, great exhaustion. Malignant symptoms.

Gnawing, burning abdominal pains; relieved by heat. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly – and painful. Ascites and anasarca. Abdomen swollen and painful. Pain as from a wound in abdomen on coughing. Painful, spasmodic protrusion of rectum – burning pain and pressure in rectum and anus. Tenesmus.

Stool small, offensive, dark, with prostration, from chilling stomach, alcoholic abuse, canned/processed foods. Dysentery dark, bloody, very offensive. Cholera, with intense agony, prostration, and burning thirst. Body cold as ice. Hemorrhoids burn like fire, relieved by heat.

Nux Vomica

Nux Vomica is greatest of polychrest. Liver Cirrhosis who has a history of long-term alcoholic abuse, chronic acidity and constipation. Hepatomegaly. Sour mouth taste, and nausea in the morning, after eating. Weight and pain in stomach; worse, eating, sometime after. Flatulence and pyrosis. Sour, bitter eructation. Nausea and vomiting, with much retching. Ravenous hunger. Epigastrium bloated, with pressure s of a stone, loves fats and tolerates them well. Dyspepsia from strong tea and/or coffee. Difficult belching of gas. Soreness or stitching pain in liver region.

Inclination to take highly spicy diet, stimulants (tea, coffee, alcoholic drinks and fat etc). Bruised soreness of abdominal walls. Flatulent distension, with spasmodic colic. Colic from uncovering. Liver engorged, with stitches and soreness. Colic, with upward pressure, causing short breath, and desire for stool. Strangulated hernia. Umbilical hernia of infants.

Constriction of rectum. Irregular, peristaltic action; hence frequent ineffectual desire, or passing but small quantities at each attempt. Alternate constipation and diarrhea-after abuse of purgatives.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a destructive metabolism. Treats yellow atrophy of the liver and sub-acute hepatitis, jaundice in patients with Cirrhosis of Liver, stool very offensive, vomiting of blood, desire for cold drinks, juices and ice creams. Hepatomegaly.

Hunger soon after eating. Sour taste and sour eructation. Belching large quantities of wind. Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). Vomiting: water is thrown up as soon as it gets warm in the stomach. Postoperative vomiting. Cardiac opening seems contracted, too narrow; the food scarcely swallowed, comes up again. Pain in stomach; relieved by cold food, ices. Stomach painful to touch, or on walking. Inflammation of stomach, with burning extending to throat and bowels. Bad effects of eating too much salt.

Abdomen feels cold. Sharp, cutting pains. A very weak, empty, gone sensation felt in whole abdominal cavity. Liver congested. Acute hepatitis. Fatty liver. Jaundice. Pancreatic disease. Large, yellow spots on abdomen.

Stool very fetid and flatus, long, narrow, hard, like a dog’s and difficult to expel. Desire for stool on lying especially on left side. Painless, copious debilitating diarrhea. Green mucus with grains like sago. Involuntary. Great weakness after stool. Discharge of blood from rectum, during stool. White, hard stools. Bleeding hemorrhoids.

Calcaria Carbonicum

This great Hahnemannian anti-psora is a constitutional remedy par excellence. Its chief action is centered in the vegetative sphere, impaired nutrition being the keynote of its action, the glands, skin, and bones, being instrumental in the changes wrought. Increased local and general perspiration, swelling of glands, scrofulous and rachitic conditions,

Cramps in stomach; worse, pressure, cold water. Ravenous hunger. Swelling over pit of stomach. Pain in epigastric region to touch. Thirst; longing for cold drinks. Aggravation while eating. Hyperchlorhydria. Pain between scapulas, impeding breathing. Weakness of extremities. Swelling of joints. Burning of soles of feet.  Fever with sweat. Pulse full and frequent. Chilliness and heat. Partial sweats. Night sweats, especially on head, neck and chest. Hectic fever.

Liver region painful when stooping. Cutting in abdomen; swollen abdomen. Incarcerated flatulence. Inguinal and mesenteric glands swollen and painful. Hepatomegaly. Distention with hardness. Gall-stone colic. Increase of fat in abdomen. Umbilical hernia. Trembling; weakness, as if sprained. Stool large and hard; whitish, watery, sour. Prolapse ani, and burning, stinging hemorrhoids. Diarrhea of undigested, food, fetid, with ravenous appetite.

Skin unhealthy; readily ulcerating; flaccid. Small wounds do not heal readily. Glands swollen. Nettle rash; better in cold air. Warts on face and hands. Petechial eruptions. Chilblains. Boils.

Cholesterinum

Cancer of the liver. Obstinate hepatic engorgements. Burning pain inside; on walking holds his hand on side, hurts him so. Opacities of the vitreous. Jaundice; gallstones. Hepatomegaly.

Cholesterine is the physiological opponent of Lecithin. Both seem to play role in the growth of tumors. Gallstones and insomnia.

Apocynum Cannabinum

Increases secretions of mucous and serous membranes and acts on cellular tissue, reducing hepatomegaly, edema and dropsy.

Nausea, with drowsiness. Thirst on walking. Excessive vomiting. Food or water is immediately ejected. Dull, heavy, sick feeling. Oppression in epigastrium and chest, impeding breathing. Sensation of sinking in stomach. Abdomen bloated. Ascites. Stool watery, flatulent, with soreness in anus; worse after eating. Feeling as if sphincter were open and stools ran right out. Renal Dropsy.

Apocynum Androsaemifolium

Diarrhea. Dropsy. Nausea. Neuralgia of face. Vomiting. Wandering rheumatism. Worms. Trembling of the body. Prostration and trembling. Swollen sensations of face and body. Swelling of hands and feet; showing its relation to dropsical states. Hepatomegaly. Flying pains in different parts. Itching of body and face. Acute rheumatism with great stiffness. General rheumatic pains. Hyperhidrosis. Acute pains in the joints attended with cramps, bilious stools and flying pains in the teeth. Renal calculi and gravel. Pains and stiffness in back of head and neck. Shooting pain in left groin. Constipation. Edema extremities. Cramps and burning in soles.

Quassia Amara

Acts on gastric organs as a tonic. Seems to possess marked action on eyes – amblyopia and cataract. Pain in right intercostal muscles above the liver. Hepatomegaly. Pressure and stitches in liver, and sympathetically in spleen. Atonic dyspepsia, with gas and acidity. Heartburn and gastralgia. Gastrointestinal reflex disease (GERD). Abdomen feels empty and retracted. Dyspepsia after infectious diseases; especially grip, dysentery. Tongue dry or with brown sticky coating. Cirrhosis of liver with ascites. Inclination to yawn and stretch. Sensation of coldness over back. Prostration, with hunger. Cold extremities, with sensation of internal coldness.