Liver Disease - All About Liver Diseases

Liver Disease Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. A Guide to Better Understanding of Liver Diseases

Liver disease occurs when certain diseases or conditions cause liver damage. It is a broad term used for many of the disorders or diseases affecting the liver tissue.

Most liver problems or diseases are accompanied by jaundice—the yellowing or yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes. The presence of jaundice almost always indicates liver disease. Other liver disease symptoms depend on the part of the liver affected. Let’s have a look at some of the different types of liver diseases, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis occurs when normal liver tissue is replaced by a scar due to long-term liver injury. These scar tissues are not functional and cannot replace the normal liver’s functions.

Cirrhosis symptoms may not be present during the early stages. However, symptoms occur as the disease progresses including jaundice, weakness and fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloating due to accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Ascites is the medical term used for the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.

This liver disease can be caused by too much alcohol drinking, such as that occurs in alcohol-related liver disease; chronic (long-term) hepatitis B, C, or D; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; and autoimmune hepatitis where the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks normal liver cells. In the United States, chronic alcohol drinking and chronic hepatitis are the leading causes of liver cirrhosis, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

In some cases, diseases that damage or destroy the liver’s bile ducts—tiny passageways in the liver, and some inherited diseases like cystic fibrosis and Wilson disease, cause liver cirrhosis.

Unfortunately, experts have not yet found a way to reverse liver damage. Liver cirrhosis treatment depends on the cause of liver scarring. The ultimate goal of cirrhosis treatment is aimed at slowing the progression of liver damage. Treatment options, depending on the cause of cirrhosis, may include lifestyle changes, nutrition therapy, and medications. If too much damage to the liver occurs, liver transplantation may be necessary.

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Hepatitis

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. Many health problems can cause the liver to become inflamed. Liver inflammation can be caused by infection with hepatitis viruses (the most common cause), excessive alcohol drinking, certain drugs, and autoimmune diseases.

Hepatitis symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, pale bowel movements, dark-colored urine, and stomach pain. Some people with hepatitis may have no symptoms at all.

Some virus-related hepatitis may eventually lead to chronic hepatitis, which can cause liver cirrhosis.

Hepatitis treatment depends mainly on the cause. In some, hepatitis may go away on its own without special medical attention. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary. Hepatitis treatment may include medicines to control liver inflammation and manage further progression of the disease.

Avoiding alcohol is necessary for alcohol-related hepatitis. Vaccines are available for the prevention of hepatitis A and B. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available for the prevention of hepatitis C.

Get to know more about hepatitis in our "Hepatitis Series".

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is a type of autoimmune disease causing the liver to swell and become inflamed. An autoimmune disease occurs when the person’s own immune system becomes overactive and attacks normal cells, in this case the liver. Nobody knows why some people’s immune system does this. However, researches believe that certain genetic factors may make some people to be prone to autoimmune diseases. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, about 70 percent of those with autoimmune hepatitis are female.

Autoimmune hepatitis may have similar symptoms with other liver conditions, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis including jaundice, enlargement of the liver, nausea and vomiting, itching, and abdominal pain.

There is no actual cure for autoimmune hepatitis. However, the condition can be controlled with proper treatment. Sometimes, medications that slow down or suppress an overactive immune system help control the progression of the disease.

Long-term autoimmune hepatitis can lead to liver cirrhosis and even liver failure if not controlled. Once liver failure occurs, liver transplantation is necessary.

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Alcoholic Liver Disease

Long-term alcohol drinking is the primary cause of alcoholic liver disease. Most people who consume minimal amounts of alcohol do not suffer liver damage. However, drinking too much alcohol for many years can cause injury to liver tissues. Over time, the condition can lead to scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, alcoholic liver disease led to more deaths than cirrhosis caused by other conditions or health problems in the past.

Alcoholic liver disease symptoms may be similar to other liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. Symptoms may include loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

The only way to prevent alcoholic liver disease is to stop drinking alcohol. There is no way to reverse liver damage or scarring once it has started. The primary goal of treatment is to prevent further scarring of the liver. Depending on the extent of damage, treatment of alcoholic liver disease may include lifestyle changes, nutritional therapy, and medications. Sometimes, liver transplantation may be necessary if the liver stops functioning due to extensive liver damage.

Suggested Readings

Sources:
Cirrhosis. (http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/). National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

Hepatitis. (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hepatitis.html) National Library of Medicine

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