Hepatic Digestive Dysfunction Syndrome

Definition and Symptoms:

Hepatic digestive dysfunction syndrome (or biliary digestive disorder) presents with the following symptoms:

  • Continuous feeling of heaviness and sometimes dull pain in the lower right side under the ribs, worsening after meals.
  • Nausea.
  • Bitter taste in the mouth.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Recurrent headaches.

Causes:

Disorders in the movement of bile ducts, gallbladder, duodenum, stomach, and esophagus contribute to hepatic digestive dysfunction syndrome. Changes in the physical and chemical properties of bile and its dynamics entering the intestines play a significant role in the development of this syndrome. Inadequate supply of bile into the intestines disrupts the process of fat formation, hydrolysis, and absorption, in addition to fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K, leading to pain, swelling, rumbling in the abdomen, and diarrhea.
When large amounts of bile enter the stomach and esophagus, biliary reflux syndrome develops.

Hepatic digestive dysfunction syndrome may result from a functional or psychological disorder and may be associated with organic diseases of the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, and stomach.

Treatment:

Treatment of hepatic digestive dysfunction syndrome involves taking multiple-enzyme medications containing lipase and bile acids (such as Panzynorm, Festal, Digestal).
In the case of biliary reflux syndrome, a malabsorption syndrome, prokinetics are prescribed, and substances that absorb acids entering the stomach, such as cholestyramine and bile, are used. Ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursodeoxycholic) is considered non-toxic and optional, reducing the concentration of aggressive bile acids in bile. Ursodeoxycholic acid at a dose of 10 mg/kg is an effective means of treating digestive manifestations of biliary reflux.

Source: “Doctors’ Guide” Magazine.