The liver has many functions within the body and because of this it can easily become diseased or injured. Failure of these functions can cause considerable damage to the body. Liver disease is also known as hepatic disease. Liver disease is a broad term that covers various problems that attack the liver. Since the liver is a very strong organ, it takes more than three quarters of its tissue to be affected for it to decrease its functions.
There are many causes of liver damage. Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of liver damage. Alcohol is a purely toxic and can cause liver inflammation. This happens when fatty accumulation occurs in liver cells causing it to breakdown. Infectious hepatitis can also cause liver inflammation.
Drugs and toxic poisons can also cause liver disorders. This happens if the patient has taken an overdose of certain medicines. Other drugs may cause the damage even when they are appropriately prescribed. Taking a large amount of acetaminophen such as panadol and Tylenol can cause permanent liver failure.
Liver Cirrhosis is disease caused by damage of liver cells following chronic liver ailments.
Cirrhosis effects and conditions lead to progressive replacement of normal liver cells with fibrous cells and lumps and generally altering the normal functioning of the liver.
Hepatitis infections can also cause liver disorders. Hepatitis B which is caused by exposure to body fluid through sex or contaminated blood can cause acute liver infection which can lead to chronic liver inflammation. It has also been noted that accumulation of fat around the liver can hinder its performance causing a disease known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The most common symptoms of liver disorders include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, nose bleeding and gum bleeding, pale colored stool, swelling of legs and abdomen, weight loss and weakness, itching, impotence, jaundice and confusion among others.
When liver disorders are not detected and treated in time, they may spread and become chronic. At this stage, the doctors use Model for End Stage Liver Disease to assess the severity of the illness. It is also the same method they used by surgeons to determine if the patient will under a liver transplant. Most
liver conditions can be detected by doing a full blood count, liver function tests and a liver biopsy. An abdominal ultrasound may also be used for imaging purposes.
If liver disorders are not treated early, they can cause complications which include portal hypertension, a condition in which there is high blood pressure in the portal vein and hepatic-renal syndrome, a life threatening condition in which the kidneys fail following deteriorated function of the liver. Other complications include esophageal bleeding, constipation and poor immune response.
It is worth noting that liver disorders can be prevented. Consuming alcohol moderately can minimize the risk of liver inflammation. Avoiding exposure of body fluids can prevent hepatitis which we have seen causes most liver damages. There is also a vaccine for hepatitis A and B. Routine exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle can prevent fatty liver disorder.