The liver is one of the most essential organs in your body, responsible for filtering toxins and producing bile to aid digestion. Unfortunately, it’s also susceptible to a range of diseases that can lead to serious health issues if left untreated. 

From non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to viral hepatitis, several conditions can affect the liver’s health and functioning. This blog post will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for liver-related diseases.

So if you want to learn more about this vital organ and how to keep it healthy, read on!

Table of contents

1. An Overview: Liver Related Diseases
2. What Are Some Liver Related Diseases?
3. What Are The Common Causes Of Liver Related Diseases?
4. What Are The Symptoms Of Liver Related Diseases?
5. What Are The Treatment Options For Liver Related Diseases?
6. Expert Advice
7. The Final Say
8. FAQs

An Overview: Liver Related Diseases

The liver is the largest organ in the human body that works like an engine and performs more than 500 vital functions. It also includes the formation of bile and several proteins, storing glycogen as a ready source of blood glucose, metabolism of nutrients, detoxification of drugs and other toxic products including NH3 and regulation of blood clotting. 

More than a hundred different liver related diseases of diverse natures are being identified as the leading causes of disability, disease, and death globally.

Liver-related diseases are broadly caused by hepatitis viruses (A to E), alcohol, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), drugs, autoimmune and genetic diseases, and cryptogenic and liver tumours malignant.

Liver deaths occur predominantly because of liver cirrhosis, acute liver failure, and liver cancer, accounting for over 2 million deaths globally annually. 

What Are Some Liver Related Diseases?

Your liver may be impacted by numerous disorders. Here are the most significant ones.

1. Hepatitis

The term hepatitis refers to liver inflammation. Viral hepatitis is the name given to the condition when a virus is blamed for the inflammation. Your liver may get damaged by hepatitis, making it more challenging to perform as it should.

• Hepatitis A: The most common way hepatitis A is transmitted is through contact with tainted food or drink. Without medication, symptoms may go away, but recovery can take a few weeks.
• Hepatitis B: Acute or chronic viral hepatitis can occur with this type of infection. It is transmitted through body fluids like blood and sperm. Hepatitis B can be managed, but there is no known cure.
• Hepatitis C: Additionally, hepatitis C can be acute or chronic. It frequently spreads by contact with the hepatitis C patient’s blood. It often has no symptoms in its initial stages but may cause irreversible liver damage as it grows.
• Hepatitis D: It is impossible to get this deadly form of hepatitis alone; it only manifests in those with hepatitis B. Additionally, it may be acute or chronic.
• Hepatitis E: Drinking tainted water is the usual way hepatitis E is contracted. Typically, there are no long-term complications, and it resolves independently within a few weeks.

2. Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease can result from fat accumulation in the liver.

Fatty liver disease is of two different types. These two manifestations can occur separately or together:

• Alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is caused due to excessive alcohol intake.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is caused due to other factors. Experts are still trying to understand.

Both types of fatty liver disease can harm the liver and result in cirrhosis and liver failure if they are not treated. However, dietary and other lifestyle modifications can frequently reduce problems and improve symptoms.

3. Autoimmune Diseases

Your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body when you have an autoimmune disease.

Your immune system attacks liver cells in several autoimmune diseases, including:

• Autoimmune hepatitis: Your immune system attacks your liver due to this illness, causing inflammation. It can result in cirrhosis and liver failure if left untreated.
• Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC): This happens due to bile buildup due to damage to your liver’s bile ducts. PBC may eventually result in liver failure and cirrhosis.
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis: This inflammatory illness gradually deteriorates your bile ducts. Bile ultimately builds up in your liver because they finally become obstructed. This may result in liver failure or cirrhosis.

4. Genetics

The buildup of numerous substances in your liver can result in liver disease if you have a faulty gene that you either received from one or both of your parents. Genetic liver conditions comprise:

• Hemochromatosis
• Wilson’s disease
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• Cancer and other growth diseases (liver cancer, bile duct cancer, and liver adenoma)

5. Cirrhosis

Scarring caused by liver illnesses and other factors, such as alcohol use disorder, is called cirrhosis. By addressing the underlying cause, cirrhosis is frequently treatable in its early stages. But if left untreated, it can result in fatal consequences and other problems.

6. Liver Failure

Chronic liver failure frequently results when your liver suffers considerable damage and becomes dysfunctional. Liver failure brought on by cirrhosis and liver disease typically develops gradually.

What Are The Common Causes Of Liver Related Diseases?

Different reasons lead to various forms of liver disease. Liver illness can be brought on by:

1. Viral Infections

Viral infections are the leading cause of hepatitis A, B, and C disorders.

2. Problems With Your Immune System

Autoimmune liver problems can result from your immune system wrongly attacking your liver. These involve primary biliary cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis.

3. Inherited Diseases

Some liver conditions are inherited from your parents and are hereditary in nature. For example, two inherited liver disorders are hemochromatosis and Wilson disease.

4. Cancer

Tumours may form in your liver when abnormal cells proliferate there. These tumours may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (liver cancer).

Consuming Too Many Toxins  

Alcohol use is the cause of fatty liver disease associated with alcohol. Non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is brought on by excessive dietary fat. NAFLD is spreading more widely as obesity and diabetes are becoming more common.

What Are The Symptoms Of Liver Related Diseases?

Some liver conditions, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hardly ever result in symptoms. The most typical sign of other illnesses is jaundice, characterised by the whites of the eyes and skin becoming yellow. When your liver struggles to eliminate a substance known as bilirubin, jaundice develops.

Other indicators of liver disease could be:

• Abdominal pain, particularly on the right side
• Easily bruised
• Changes in faeces and urine colour
• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swelling in your arms or legs (oedema)

What Are The Treatment Options For Liver Related Diseases?

The severity and kind of liver disease you have will determine the course of treatment. Among the available treatments are:

1. Medication

Medication is used to treat certain forms of liver disease. Whether it’s for Wilson’s disease or hepatitis, you may need to take medicine.

2. Lifestyle Modifications

You can manage some types of liver disease with your diet. Alcohol should be avoided, fat and calorie intake should be reduced, and fibre intake should be increased if you have fatty liver disease. Alcohol abstinence can help liver damage caused by alcohol.

3. Liver Transplant

A liver transplant may prove to be the best course of treatment when liver disease leads to hepatic failure. A healthy liver replaces your liver during a transplant.

Expert Advice

The problems liver disease poses to the medical community in India have never been greater, yet there will never be more resources or hope at our disposal to meet these issues. However, you may take precautions to avoid some liver conditions, particularly those impacted by your food and way of life.

The Final Say

Most liver related diseases are manageable if you catch them early. But if left untreated, they can harm you permanently.

Cirrhosis can result from the side effects of untreated or poorly controlled liver illness. Making it a point to schedule annual physical tests. The usual physical blood testing might help you and your doctor keep one step ahead of some liver disorders, as they can develop without symptoms in some cases.

Focusing on a balanced diet, regular exercise, and other lifestyle choices that promote good health, such as reducing alcohol use, can also aid in prevention or treatment.

Additionally, for an apt diagnosis and treatment, do visit the department of liver transplant and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery at Bansal Hospital Bhopal.

FAQs

1. What is the 1st stage of liver disease?

Swelling and inflammation of the liver are common in the earliest stages of liver disease because they are the body’s normal response to injury. When more toxins are in the blood than the liver can process, liver inflammation (hepatitis) can develop. Therefore, the sooner a problem is identified, the better.

2. Can liver disease be cured?

Depending on the cause, acute liver failure can sometimes be reversed with treatment. However, a liver transplant may be the only cure in many chronic situations.

3. Can the liver grow back if damaged?

The liver’s ability to repair itself after injury sets it apart from other organs. Even if 90% of a liver is removed, it can return to its average size. However, liver damage can occur. There are several diseases and environmental factors that might cause irreparable damage.

4. Does fasting help repair liver health?

Yes, fasting can be an effective intervention to treat disease and improve liver health.

About Bansal Hospital

Bansal Hospital is a multispeciality hospital and is one of the leading, reputable and reliable healthcare providers trusted by patients and their families across the region. It has all the major departments, including cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, urology, liver transplant, bone marrow transplantation, nephrology, gynaecology and more. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and technology. It has a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors and medical staff who provide round-the-clock care to the patient.

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https://bansalhospital.com/