These are the different types of liver diseases

The liver is an organ about the size of a ball as shown in the picture. It is found just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen. The organ is important for digesting food and removing toxic substances from your body.

Liver disease can be inherited (genetic). Liver problems can also be caused by a variety of factors that damage the liver, such as viruses, alcohol use and obesity.

Over time, conditions that damage the liver can lead to scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition. But if you receive your treatment early, you can be healed.

See your doctor urgently if you have abdominal pain that is so severe. You can’t stay still, or if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you as per the details below

Causes

There are many factors that may cause the disease, including:

• Infection: Bacteria, parasites and viruses can infect the liver, causing inflammation that reduces alert function. The viruses that cause liver damage can be spread through blood or semen, contaminated food or water, or close contact with a person who is infected.

The most common types of liver infection are hepatitis viruses, including:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C

Immune system abnormality: Diseases in which your immune system attacks certain parts of your body (autoimmune) can affect your liver.

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Examples of autoimmune liver diseases include:

• Autoimmune hepatitis;
• Primary biliary cholangitis; and
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Genetics: An abnormal gene inherited from one or both of your parents can cause various substances to build up in your liver, resulting in liver damage.

Genetic liver diseases include:

• Hemochromatosis;
• Wilson’s disease; and
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Cancer and other growths. Examples include

• Liver cancer.
• Bile duct cancer.
• Liver adenoma.

Other common causes include: 

• Chronic alcohol abuse;
• Fat accumulation in the liver (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease);
• Certain prescription or over-the-counter medications; and
• Certain herbal compounds, including traditional medicines.

Risk factor

Factors that may increase your risk of liver disease include: 

• Heavy alcohol use.
• Obesity.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Tattoos or body piercings.
• Injecting drugs using shared needles.
• Blood transfusion.
• Exposure to other people’s blood and body fluids.
• Unprotected sex.
• Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins.
• Family history of liver disease.

Symptoms

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It is not time that the signs and symptoms will bere not always be visible, especially in the early stages of illness If signs and symptoms of liver disease occur, they may include:

• Jaundice, which is a yellowish discolouration of the skin and eyes.
• Abdominal pain and swelling.
• Swelling in the legs and ankles.
• Itchy skin.
• Dark urine colour.
• Pale stool colour.
• Chronic fatigue.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Tendency to bruise easily.

Complications

Complications of liver disease, depending on the cause of your liver problems. Untreated liver disease may progress to liver failure, a life-threatening condition., which may lead to death.

Prevention

To prevent liver disease: Avoid drinking alcohol or drinking in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women, and up to two drinks a day for men. Heavy or high-risk drinking is defined as more than eight drinks a week for women and more than 15 drinks week for men.

• Maintain a healthy weight by eating a healthy diet and exercising.
  Obesity can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Practice safe sex. Use a condom.
  during sex
• For tattoos or body piercings, ensure they are done in a clean and hygienic place with treelined professionals.
• Avoid illicit use of drugs or when using intravenous drugs do not share needles.
• Get vaccinated. If you’re at increased risk of contracting hepatitis or if you’ve already been infected with any form of the vihepatitisrus, talk to your doctor about getting the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines.
• Use medications wisely. Take prescription and nonprescription drugs only when needed and only in recommended doses. Do not mix medications and alcohol. Talk to your doctor before mixing herbal supplements or prescription or nonprescription drugs.
• Avoid contact with other people’s blood and body fluids.
• Keep your food safe. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food. When travelling and in charge of preparing food, use only bottled water and only eat cooked food.
• Protect your skin. When using insecticides and other toxic chemicals, wear gloves, long sleeves, a hat and a mask so chemicals aren’t absorbed through your skin.

Diagnosis

The doctor will start with taking a full history and examining you before deciding on further tests to find the cause. Travel history is also important.

The following tests will then be undertaken:

• Blood tests. A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions.
• Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage.
• ReChecking a tissue sample. Moving a tissue sample (biopsy) from your liver may help diagnose liver disease and look for signs of liver damage. A liver biopsy is most often done using a long needle inserted through the skin to extract a tissue sample that’s sent to a lab for testing.

Treatment

Treatment for liver disease depends on your diagnosis. Some liver problems can be treated with lifestyle modifications, such as stopping alcohol use or losing weight, typically as part of a medical programme that includes careful monitoring of liver function.

Other liver problems may be treated with medications or summary require very. Treatment for liver disease that causes or has led to liver failure may ultimately require a liver transplant.