Learn All About Liver Disease

All liver diseases require medical attention because they affect a vital organ. The liver plays a role in the digestion of food, stores energy and releases toxins. Therefore, multiple liver diseases can even lead to death.

Liver disease is caused by various factors. Sometimes they are caused by viruses. Other times they are due to ingestion of a toxic substance. Only rarely are they caused by hereditary causes.

In general, symptoms of liver disease vary greatly depending on the disease from which the patient suffers. In some cases, however, they cause no symptoms and can only be detected by laboratory tests.

In this article you will learn about the most important liver diseases.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by an accumulation of lipids in the liver. If there is also inflammation and damage to liver cells, it is called “nonalcoholic steatohepatitis” or NASH. Obese people who have type 2 diabetes and patients with metabolic diseases are more likely to develop these diseases.

Usually, these diseases do not manifest themselves with symptoms.

Also read: Fight fatty liver with these 6 alternative treatments

Cirrhosis of the liver, one of the most serious liver diseases

Cirrhosis of the liver (cirrhosis) is one of the most serious liver diseases. This disease causes scar tissue to replace healthy tissue. The liver is thus scarred and permanently damaged, which means that it cannot function well.

There is no specific treatment for cirrhosis. However, there are treatment options for the causes that produce this disease. The most common causes of cirrhosis include:

• Alcoholism.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
• Chronic hepatitis C.
• Chronic hepatitis B.

Autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic disease that occurs because the immune system attacks the liver. Therefore, it causes inflammation and damage. If a person with this disease does not receive proper treatment, it can develop and cause liver cirrhosis.

Autoimmune hepatitis is one of those liver diseases that sometimes gives no symptoms in the beginning, even though it does over time. Medical professionals diagnose the condition based on the patient’s medical history. They will also need to request certain tests.

Hepatitis A, B and C

Viruses cause these diseases. Hepatitis A causes inflammation. This, in turn, causes the liver to malfunction. It spreads through contact with fecal material from a previously infected person.

In turn, hepatitis B has similar properties. In this case, however, it spreads through contact with any of the body fluids from an infected person. There is an acute and a chronic form. Without treatment, the latter can turn into liver cancer or cause liver failure.

Hepatitis C has a pattern similar to the previous two. However, it spreads through contact with the blood of an infected person. Early symptoms can manifest up to 10 years after infection. Like type B, it has an acute and chronic form.

Also read: Liver cleansing diet

Hepatitis D and E

The hepatitis D virus is very rare and only affects those with hepatitis B. When both hepatitis B and D viruses affect a person, doctors describe this as a “co-infection”. If the person has chronic hepatitis B and then becomes infected with hepatitis D, doctors refer to this as a “superinfection”.

Hepatitis E spreads with drinking water contaminated with infected feces. It can also be caused by eating pork or wild game. Usually it subsides after a few weeks without treatment. For unknown reasons, this disease has a 20% mortality rate in pregnant women.

Other liver diseases

Iron accumulation is not a specific liver disease, but it does affect the organ significantly. This condition is characterized by excessive accumulation of iron in the body. Thus, it can cause liver fibrosis and 60% of patients develop cirrhosis. In general, 5% of cases lead to the development of malignant tumors.

On the other hand, Wilson’s disease is a rare inherited disorder that does not allow the body to naturally free itself from the copper it does not need. If copper accumulates in the liver, it can lead to cirrhosis.

Hepatitis B and C as well as cirrhosis, iron accumulation, excessive alcohol intake, obesity and diabetes are risk factors for developing liver cancer. Currently, there are several treatments available to combat it.

Finally, do not underestimate your symptoms and should consult your doctor as soon as they manifest, to prevent complications.