By Idris Roberts

Hepatology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the study, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders related to the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas. The liver plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes and is responsible for producing bile, which helps in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from food. Hepatology encompasses a wide range of liver-related medical conditions, such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, autoimmune liver diseases, genetic liver diseases, and liver transplantation. Treatment options in hepatology depend on the specific liver condition and its severity. Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes and abstaining from the consumption of alcohol are often suggested for patients with liver diseases such as fatty liver disease or alcoholic liver disease. Antiviral medications are used for the management of chronic viral hepatitis, while immunosuppressive drugs may be used to treat autoimmune liver diseases. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of hepatology which will be crucial for the progress of this field in the future. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.