Hepatology

What is it?

Hepatology is a medical specialty that studies the liver and its diseases.

The liver is one of the most intelligent organs, it fulfills functions such as filtering most of the blood which is then sent to the heart; besides, it process, decompose and neutralize another percentage of the blood that comes from the stomach and the intestine, eliminating the toxins so the resulting nutrients can be used by the cells.

The liver main functions are

  1. Bile production to break down fats and waste transportation
  2. Bilirubin clearance
  3. Blood proteins production and processing
  4. Fat balancing: Cholesterol and triglycerides
  5. Conversion of  glucose excess into glycogen
  6. Participation in the balance of metals: iron and copper
  7. Ammonia detoxification
  8. Regulation and production of blood coagulation proteins
  9. Depuration of medications and other external toxins
  10. Protein production for the defense system against infections

Services

Diagnostic and treatment for:

  • Cirrhosis: Consequence of excessive alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis, bile duct obstruction, or exposure to certain medications or toxic substances. As a result of cirrhosis, the patient experiences loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and malnutrition.
  • Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver caused by different reasons, such as hepatitis A, B and C virus infections, among others; it is a result of consumption of toxic substances and for autoimmune diseases, in which the organism makes mistakes and attacks its organs.
  • Fatty liver or liver fat infiltration: Disease caused by a diet that excess fats, sugars or flours, and the fat is stored in adipose tissue; it is the result of poor nutrition and should be treated with a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
  • Liver disease associated with excessive alcohol consumption: Abuse of alcohol increases fat deposits and liver size, then continues with a process of progressive inflammation, leading to cirrhosis.
  • Cholestasis (skin yellowing): Excessive reserve of bile in the liver, this is because bile cannot flow to the small intestine to aid in the digestion of fats, and fat is not absorbed, causing weight loss and malnutrition in the patient.
  • Wilson's disease: It is characterized by a cooper increase in the body, people suffering from the disease should avoid eating chocolate, nuts, shellfish, and mushrooms. It leads to acute liver failure or hepatic cirrhosis.
  • Hemochromatosis: Due to this illness iron is transported through the intestine and accumulates in the liver, patients with this condition should avoid injections of iron and food products that may contain it.

Specialists

  • Juan Carlos Restrepo Gutiérrez 
  • Juan Ignacio Marín Zuluaga
  • Octavio Germán Muñoz Maya
  • Oscar Mauricio Santos Sánchez

Request an appointment

For national patients

To request an appointment (4) 360 47 88

For more information (4) 445 90 00

For international patients

Link  to request an appointment https://tphptu.teleperformance.co/TPCO/ChatHptuV5/CHATV5_Inicio.aspx?URL=74922ee129189199d3dd3f7971f387a29dfbbdced55d4df4

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Attention time

Appointments time from Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Emergencies, hospitalization, and Intensive Care Unit 24 hours daily.