Liver disease is also referred to Hepatic Disease. Liver Disease is a term that is used when there is any disturbance of the liver function that causes illness. It is a broad term to describe when more than 75% or three quarters of liver tissue needed is affected and decreased function in the liver occurs. The number one cause of liver disease is alcohol abuse in North America. They can cause liver inflammation, referred to as alcoholic hepatitis. Other causes include Cirrhosis, Cholestasis, Steatosis, Hepatitis, Viruses, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver, Hemachromatosis, Wilson’s Disease and Gilbert’s Disease.
Causes: Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is when the liver cells are replaced by permanent scar tissue as a result of chronic liver disease. It is considered the late-stage of liver disease. Cirrhosis is common among chronic alcohol abuse users where the fat accumulation occurs in the liver cells and causes scar tissue. Cholestasis is when the bile flow is obstructed from the gallbladder or duodenum. Steatosis is the term used when cholesterol and triglycerides accumulate in the liver.
Causes: Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a term used to describe the inflammation on liver cells. They can become inflamed due to infection.
There are many forms of Hepatitis:
Hepatitis A (Hep A) is a viral infection primarily spread through the fecal-oral route when small amounts of infected fecal matter are ingested. An acute inflammation of the liver occurs but there is a way to prevent this type of infection. There is a vaccine available and the best way to help prevent it is by a good hand washing.
Hepatitis B (Hep B) is spread by exposure to body fluids and can cause an acute infection. If left untreated, it can progress into a chronic inflammation and on into cirrhosis. There is also a vaccine for this form of hepatitis. Typically, the vaccine contains both Hep A and B in a combination series of doses.
Hepatitis C (Hep C) is caused by a virus different from Hep A or Hep B. It can either be “acute” or “chronic” and is primarily spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. The most common way is by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants which led to the start of a widespread screening of blood supplies. Another way it can be transmitted is through being born to a mother who has it. There are less common ways to contract Hepatitis C, and that’s through sharing personal care items that may have come into contact with another person’s blood (razors, toothbrushes), or having unprotected sex with a infected person. Some people are at an increased risk for Hepatitis C. Those individuals include: Children born to mothers infected with this Hep C; current injection drug users (most common way Hepatitis C is spread in the US), past injection drug users, recipients of donated blood (blood products and organs), hemodialysis patients who spent many years on dialysis for kidney failure, people who received body piercings or tattoos done with non-sterile instruments, & people with known exposure to Hepatitis C like Health care workers or recipients of blood or organs from a donor who tested positive.
Hepatitis D (Hep D) is known as “delta hepatitis” can also be “acute” or “chronic” but is uncommon in the United States. It requires the Hepatitis B virus to survive. It is transmitted through sexual contact with infected blood or blood products. There is also no vaccine available for this virus. Hepatitis E (Hep E) is caused by Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus. It is transmitted mainly through the fecal-oral route due to fecal contaminated drinking water.
Causes: NAFLD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the build up of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol. It is normal for the liver to contain some fat. liver’s weight is fat, then it NAFLD tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. Rapid weight loss and poor eating habits also may lead to NAFLD. However, some people develop NAFLD even if they do not have any risk factors. NAFLD affects up to 25% of people in the United States. However, if more than 5% up to 10% of the liver’s weight is fat then the liver is called a fatty liver called steatosis. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFL) describes the accumulation of fat within the liver that can cause an inflammation and a gradual decrease in function.
Those at risk for NAFLD? NAFLD tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. Rapid weight loss and poor eating habits also may lead to NAFLD. However, some people develop NAFLD even if they do not have any risk factors. NAFLD affects up to 25% of people in the United States.
RISKS NAFLD may cause the liver to swell (steatohepatitis). A swollen liver may cause scarring (cirrhosis) over time and may even lead to liver cancer or liver failure.
SYMPTOMS NAFLD often has no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, spider-like blood vessels, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itching, fluid build up and swelling of the legs (edema) and abdomen (ascites), and mental confusion.
DIAGNOSIS NAFLD is initially suspected if blood tests show high levels of liver enzymes. However, other liver diseases are first ruled out through additional tests. Often, an ultrasound is used to confirm the NAFLD diagnosis.
TREATMENT There are no medical treatments yet for NAFLD. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly may help prevent liver damage from starting or reverse it in the early stages.
- See a doctor who specializes in the liver regularly
- Talk to your doctor about ways to improve your liver health
- Lose weight, if you are overweight or obese
- Lower your cholesterol and triglycerides
- Control your diabetes
- Avoid alcohol