Liver
Disease
The
liver is the largest solid organ in
the body, weighing on average about 3.5 pounds. The liver carries out a large
number of critical functions, including manufacture of essential proteins, and
metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. The liver is essential for digesting food
and ridding your body of toxic substances. Liver disease can be inherited
(genetic) or caused by a variety of factors that damage the liver, such as
viruses and alcohol use. Obesity is also associated with liver damage.
Types
There
are many types of liver disease. Some of diseases are given below-
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of
liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. The
liver carries out several necessary functions, including detoxifying harmful
substances in your body, cleaning your blood and making vital nutrients. Cirrhosis
occurs in response to damage to your liver. Each time your liver is injured, it
tries to repair itself. In the process, scar tissue forms. As cirrhosis
progresses, more and more scar tissue forms, making it difficult for the liver
to function.
Liver
Faliure
Liver
failure or hepatic insufficiency is the inability of the liver to perform its
normal synthetic and metabolic function as part of normal physiology. Two forms
are recognised, acute and chronic. Recently a third
form of liver failure known as acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is
increasingly being recognized.
Hepatotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity (from hepatic toxicity) implies
chemical-driven liver damage. Drug-induced liver injury is a cause of acute and
chronic liver disease. The liver plays a central role in transforming and
clearing chemicals and is susceptible to the toxicity from these agents.
Certain medicinal agents, when taken in overdoses and sometimes even when
introduced within therapeutic ranges, may injure the organ. Other chemical
agents, such as those used in laboratories and industries, natural chemicals
(e.g., microcystins) and herbal remedies can also
induce hepatotoxicity. Chemicals that cause liver
injury are called hepatotoxins.
Nonalcoholic
fatty liver
Nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions
affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. As the name implies, the main
characteristic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is too much fat stored in
liver cells.
Fatty
liver
Fatty
liver, or hepatic steatosis, is a term that describes
the buildup of fat in the liver. It’s normal to have some fat in your liver,
but too much can become a health problem. Fatty liver is a reversible condition
that can often be resolved with lifestyle modifications. In many cases, fatty
liver has no symptoms. It doesn’t usually cause permanent damage unless it
progresses.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis
refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It’s commonly caused by a
viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These
include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of
medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that
occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.
Liver
cancer
Liver
cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the liver. Some cancers develop
outside the liver and spread to the area. However, only cancers that start in
the liver are described as liver cancer.
Gallstones
Gallstones
are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder.
Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your
abdomen, just beneath your liver. The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid
called bile that's released into your small intestine. Gallstones range in size
from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Some people
develop just one gallstone, while others develop many gallstones at the same
time.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal
diseases refer to diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract, namely the
esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum, and the
accessory organs of digestion, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Wilson's
disease
Wilson's
disease is another inherited disease that affects the body's ability to
metabolize copper. Wilson's disease may lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Gilbert's
disease
In
Gilbert's disease, there is an abnormality in bilirubin
metabolism in the liver. It is a common disease that affects up to 7% of the
North American population. There are no symptoms and it is usually diagnosed
incidentally when an elevated bilirubin level is
found on routine blood tests. Gilbert's disease is a benign condition and
requires no treatment.
Symptoms
·
Signs
and symptoms of liver disease are-
·
Skin
and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
·
Abdominal
pain and swelling
·
Swelling
in the legs and ankles
·
Itchy
skin
·
Dark
urine color
·
Pale
stool color, or bloody or tar-colored stool
·
Chronic
fatigue
·
Nausea
or vomiting
·
Loss
of appetite
·
Tendency
to bruise easily
Risk factors
Factors
that may increase your risk of liver disease include:
·
Heavy
alcohol use
·
Injecting
drugs using shared needles
·
Tattoos
or body piercings
·
Blood
transfusion before 1992
·
Exposure
to other people's blood and body fluids
·
Unprotected
sex
·
Exposure
to certain chemicals or toxins
·
Diabetes
·
Obesity
Diagnosis
The
precise diagnosis of liver disease involves a history and physical examination
performed by a health care professional. Understanding the symptoms and the
patient's risk factors for liver disease will help guide any diagnostic tests
that may be considered. Blood tests are helpful in assessing liver inflammation
and function. CT scan, MRI, ultrasound also helpful in diagnosis liver disease.
Treatment
Treatment
for liver disease depends on your diagnosis. Some liver problems can be treated
with lifestyle modifications, such as stopping alcohol use or losing weight,
typically as part of a medical program that includes careful monitoring of
liver function. Other liver problems may be treated with medications or may
require surgery. Treatment for liver disease that causes or has led to liver
failure may ultimately require a liver transplant.
Prevention
To
prevent liver disease:
Drink alcohol in
moderation. For
healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks
a day for men. Heavy or high-risk drinking is defined as more than eight drinks
a week for women and more than 15 drinks a week for men.
Avoid risky behavior. Get help if you use illicit
intravenous drugs, and don't share needles used to inject drugs. Use a condom
during sex. If you choose to have tattoos or body piercings, be picky about
cleanliness and safety when selecting a shop.
Get vaccinated. If you're at increased risk of
contracting hepatitis or if you've already been infected with any form of the
hepatitis virus, talk to your doctor about getting the hepatitis A and
hepatitis B vaccines.
Use medications
wisely. Take
prescription and nonprescription drugs only when needed and only in recommended
doses. Don't mix medications and alcohol. Talk to your doctor before mixing
herbal supplements or prescription or nonprescription drugs.
Avoid contact with
other people's blood and body fluids.
Hepatitis viruses can be spread by accidental needle sticks or improper cleanup
of blood or body fluids.
Take care with
aerosol sprays.
Make sure the room is ventilated, and wear a mask when spraying insecticides,
fungicides, paint and other toxic chemicals. Always follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
Protect your skin. When using insecticides and
other toxic chemicals, wear gloves, long sleeves, a hat and a mask.
Maintain a healthy
weight. Obesity
can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.