Learn Everything You Need To Know About Liver Disease

All liver diseases require medical attention because they affect an important organ. The liver plays a role in the digestion of food, stores energy and releases toxins. This is why more 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 the intake of a toxic substance. It is rare that they are due to hereditary causes.

Overall, the symptoms of liver disease vary widely, depending on the condition the patient is suffering from. In some cases, however, they cause no symptoms and can only be detected by laboratory tests.

In this article you will discover the most important liver diseases.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by an accumulation of lipids in the liver. If there is also inflammation and damage to liver cells, it is called “non-alcoholic steatohepatitis”. Obese people with type 2 diabetes and those with metabolic syndrome are more likely to develop these diseases.

Usually these diseases are not manifested with symptoms.

Cirrhosis of the liver, one of the most serious variants of liver disease

Cirrhosis of the liver is one of the most serious liver diseases. This disease causes scar tissue to replace healthy tissue. Thus, the liver is permanently damaged, which means that it can not function properly.

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

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

Autoimmune hepatitis

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

Autoimmune hepatitis is one of the liver diseases that sometimes does not cause any symptoms right away, although it does over time. Physicians diagnose the condition based on the patient’s medical history. They must also request certain samples.

Hepatitis A, B and C

Viruses cause these conditions. Hepatitis A causes inflammation. This in turn leads to the liver not functioning properly. 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 some of the body fluids of 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. Just like type B, it has an acute and chronic form.

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 refer to 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 by drinking water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. It can also be caused by eating undercooked pork or game. It usually subsides after a few weeks without treatment. Due to unknown causes, this disease has a 20% mortality rate in pregnant women.

Other liver diseases

Iron overload is not a specific liver disease, but it does affect the liver significantly. This condition is characterized by excessive iron buildup in the body. Thus, it can lead to liver fibrosis and 60% of patients develop cirrhosis. In total, 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 get rid of the copper it does not need naturally. If copper accumulates in the liver, it can lead to cirrhosis.

Hepatitis B and C, as well as cirrhosis, iron overload, excessive alcohol intake, obesity and diabetes, are risk factors for developing liver cancer. Currently, there are several treatments available to combat it. To summarize , do not underestimate your symptoms and consult your doctor as soon as they manifest to prevent complications.