Liver Disease

 

Liver disease is a condition that can affect the normal functioning of the liver. The liver is the largest organ of the body that helps with the digestion of food and the removal of toxins from the blood.

There are several types of liver disease, including fatty liver disease, liver cancer and hepatitis. If the condition left untreated, it can lead to liver failure—a form of disease that occurs when the liver is damaged beyond repair.

Fatty Liver Disease

One of the most common liver diseases is fatty liver disease. There are two types of fatty liver diseases:

1. ·         Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (worsening form of NAFLD): This type of fatty liver disease develops when there is excess fat build-up in the liver. Build-up can occur due to insulin resistance, eating foods high in fat, and having high blood sugar.
2. ·         Alcoholic Liver Disease: Occurs when drinking too much alcohol (e.g., two or more drinks per day) causes destruction of the liver tissue.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the liver. This condition develops due to infection by different types of hepatitis. If left untreated, hepatitis can also cause liver damage and not function normally.

Liver Cancer

Liver cancer—also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)—occurs when tumor cells develop in the liver. In some cases, the tumors can be benign (non-cancerous), but they can interfere with the liver’s ability to function normally.

Autoimmune Liver Conditions

Autoimmune disorders are conditions that occur when the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body by mistake.

Genetic Conditions

These conditions include Wilson disease, Hemochromatosis, Gilbert syndrome and Cirrhosis.

Each type of liver disease can cause slightly different symptoms. However, the most common symptoms of liver disease include:

• ·         Jaundice, or the yellowing of the skin and eyes
• ·         Swelling of the abdomen (stomach) and legs
• ·         Changes in the color of your urine and stool
• ·         Easy bruising

You can develop liver disease for a variety of different reasons including:

• ·         Having a family history of liver disease 
• ·         Becoming infected with hepatitis infection 
• ·         Being exposed to contaminated blood, semen, or other bodily fluids 
• ·         Not using protection (e.g., condoms) when having sex 
• ·         Developing an autoimmune disorder 
• ·         Drinking excess amounts of alcohol 
• ·         Eating a diet high in fat 

You can make the following modifications to your lifestyle habits to prevent the condition from worsening: 

• ·         Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink 
• ·         Eating a nutritious diet that is low in fat 
• ·         Participating in physical activity or exercise regularly 

If your condition has progressed to liver damage or cirrhosis, your healthcare provider may consider putting you on a list to receive a liver transplant. Extreme liver damage is irreversible and can lead to liver failure. 

Lifestyle choices play a key role in maintaining a healthy liver and preventing some liver diseases include:

•  ·        Reducing how much alcohol you drink 
• ·         Getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B 
• ·         Avoiding sharing needles and personal items such as razors and combs 
• ·         Exercising or moving your body regularly 
• ·         Quitting smoking 
• ·         Eating a diet that is low in fat 
• ·         Practicing safe sex