Best Minnesota Hepatologists

Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a disease in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. The pancreas is a long, flattened, pear-shaped organ located behind the stomach. It makes digestive enzymes and hormones including insulin. In pancreatitis, the digestive enzymes attack the tissue that produces them.

Liver Cancer
The liver is located in the right side of the abdomen. It stores and metabolizes nutrients, and filters and stores blood. Liver cancer is the growth of cancer cells in the liver.

Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).



Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver disease. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus. Most hepatitis B infections clear up within 1-2 months without treatment. When the infection lasts more than six months, it can develop into chronic hepatitis B, which can lead to: Chronic inflammation of the liverCirrhosis (scarring of the liver) Liver CancerLiver failureDeath

Gallbladder Cancer
Gallbladder cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the gallbladder. This is a relatively rare form of cancer. The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ. It sits beneath the liver and stores bile until it is needed by the digestive system. Bile is a greenish-yellow digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps in digesting fat.

Hepatitis
Viral hepatitis is an infection of the liver. There are several different viruses that cause hepatitis. They are called Hepatitis A , Hepatitis B , Hepatitis C , D, and E viruses. The viruses are transmitted in different ways. Complications include chronic liver disease, liver failure, and Liver Cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer occurs when cells within the pancreas begin to grow abnormally in an uncontrolled and invasive way.

The pancreas is an organ located behind and to the right of the stomach, near the liver, gall bladder, and intestine. The area of the pancreas on the right side of the body, closest to the first section of the small intestine, is called the “head” of the pancreas; the middle section, behind the stomach, is called the “body” of the pancreas; and the section on the left side of the body, closest to the spleen, is called the “tail” of the pancreas.

Malabsorption
Malabsorption is the inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestines. Malabsorption may involve failure to absorb certain vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, or fats. The condition is associated with a number of diseases that affect the intestines or other areas of the gastrointestinal tract.

Toxic Hepatitis
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Toxic hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver due to medication or exposure to toxic (poisonous) chemicals. Inflammation is a response by the immune system to an infection, irritation, or injury that often results in swelling and harm to the affected tissue.

Gallstones
Gallstones are solid particles that form within the gallbladder. Gallstones form from a liquid substance called bile.

Bile is mostly made up of water, salts, cholesterol, and lecithin. The liver makes bile and the gallbladder is the organ that stores it for later use. During digestion, bile is secreted into the small intestine to help with the breakdown of fat.