Overview

Liver conditions include a wide range of disorders such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The liver is a vital organ responsible for detoxification, metabolism, bile production, and regulation of many critical processes. Damage to the liver can impair multiple systems in the body.

Key Facts

The liver is the largest internal organ, weighing around 1.5 kg in adults. It has a remarkable ability to regenerate if damaged. Globally, liver diseases account for millions of deaths annually, often linked to alcohol abuse, viral infections, and lifestyle-related factors like obesity.

Causes

Liver disease may be caused by viral infections (Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E), alcohol abuse, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, metabolic disorders, autoimmune conditions, drug or toxin exposure, genetic disorders like Wilson’s disease, and liver tumors or cancers.

Symptoms

Symptoms include yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice), abdominal swelling, pain in the upper right abdomen, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, itchy skin, easy bruising, confusion, and dark-colored urine.

Risk Factors

Risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, chronic viral hepatitis infection, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history of liver disease, unsafe blood transfusions, unprotected sex, intravenous drug use, and prolonged exposure to toxins or certain medications.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves blood tests (liver function tests, viral markers), imaging (ultrasound, CT scan, MRI), liver biopsy, FibroScan to measure liver stiffness, and screening for tumor markers like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).

Prevention

Prevention includes avoiding alcohol misuse, vaccination against Hepatitis A and B, practicing safe sex, avoiding contaminated food and water, managing obesity and diabetes, avoiding unnecessary medications, and regular health check-ups.

Celebs Affected

Celebrities like Pamela Anderson (Hepatitis C), George Best (alcohol-related liver disease), and Mickey Mantle (cirrhosis and cancer) brought global attention to liver health awareness.

Specialist to Visit

Gastroenterologists and hepatologists are the primary specialists. For liver cancer or transplantation, oncologists and transplant surgeons are also involved.

Treatment

• Viral hepatitis: Antiviral therapy to eliminate infection.
• Fatty liver: Lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, and alcohol cessation.
• Autoimmune liver disease: Medications to suppress immune activity.
• Liver cancer: Chemotherapy, surgery, or other oncological interventions.
• Severe liver disease: Liver transplantation when necessary.

Home-Care

Home care includes following a liver-friendly diet (low fat, balanced protein, rich in fruits and vegetables), avoiding alcohol, drinking plenty of water, exercising moderately, avoiding unnecessary medicines or supplements, and regular monitoring of liver health with a doctor.

Complications

Untreated liver conditions can lead to cirrhosis, portal hypertension, ascites, liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy (confusion and memory problems), liver cancer, and ultimately death.

Alternative Therapies

Some supportive therapies include milk thistle, turmeric, yoga, meditation, and dietary modifications. However, these should not replace standard medical treatments and must be taken under medical supervision.

Living with

Living with chronic liver disease requires lifestyle adjustments, strict adherence to medical advice, limiting salt intake to prevent swelling, quitting alcohol, regular monitoring of blood tests, emotional support, and sometimes long-term transplant evaluation.

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