Liver Disease :-
Liver diseases is also known as Hepatic disease.
Liver is the biggest organ inside of your body. It helps your body digest your food, store energy, and remove poisons.
Types of Liver Disease :-
• Diseases which is caused by viruses, like hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C
• Diseases which is caused by drugs, poisons, or drinking more alcohol. Like fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.
• Liver cancer
• Inherited diseases, hemochromatosis and Wilson disease.
Symptoms of liver disease can diffet, but they frequently include swelling of the abdomen and legs, bruising easily, change in the color of your stool and urine, and jaundice, or yellowing of your the skin and eyes. Sometimes there are no symptoms. Tests include imaging tests and liver function tests can check for liver damage and help to diagnose liver diseases.
Symptoms:
Liver disease does not always cause observable signs and symptoms. If signs and symptoms of liver disease do take place, they are like:
• Skin and eyes that seem yellowish (jaundice),
• Abdominal pain and swelling,
• Swelling in the legs and ankles,
• Itchy skin,
• Dark urine color,
• Pale stool color,
• Chronic fatigue,
• Nausea or vomiting,
• Loss of appetite,
• Tendency to bruise easily.
When to see a doctor :
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any constant signs or symptoms that worry you. See for immediate medical attention if you have abdominal pain that is so critical that you can not stay still.
Causes :
Liver disease has many causes.
Infection
Parasites and viruses can infect the liver, leading inflammation that lower liver function. The viruses that cause liver damage can be layout from blood or semen, infected food or water, or close contact with a person who is infected. The most common types of liver infection are hepatitis viruses,
Like:
• Hepatitis A,
• Hepatitis B,
• Hepatitis C.
Immune system abnormality :
Diseases in which your immune system strike on particular parts of your body (autoimmune) can affect your liver. Examples include:
• Autoimmune hepatitis,
• Primary biliary cholangitis,
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Genetics :
An unusual gene inherited from one or both of your parents can lead to various substances to increase in your liver, which results in liver damage.
Genetic liver diseases include:
• Hemochromatosis,
• Wilson's disease
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Cancer and other growths
Examples include:
• Liver cancer,
• Bile duct cancer,
• Liver adenoma.
Other
More usual causes of liver disease include:
• Chronic alcohol abuse,
• Fat collection in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease),
• Certain prescription or nationwide medications,
• Certain herbal compounds.
Risk factors :
Factors that may higher your risk of liver disease include:
• Heavy alcohol use,
• Obesity,
• Type 2 diabetes,
• Tattoos or body piercings,
• Injecting drugs using shared needles,
• Blood transfusion before 1992,
• Revelation to other people's blood and body fluids,
• Unprotected sex,
• Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins,
• Family history of liver disease.
Complications :
Complications of liver disease differ, depending on the cause of your liver problems. If your liver disease is not treated it may progress to liver failure and can be a life-threatening condition.
Prevention :
To prevent liver disease:
• Drink alcohol in moderation -
For adults, one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. More drinking is defined as more than eight drinks a week for women and more than 15 drinks a week for men.
• Avoid risky behavior -
Use a condom while having sex. If you choose to have tattoos or body piercings, be delicate about cleanliness and safety while selecting a shop. See for help if you use illicit intravenous drugs, and do not share needles to inject drugs.
• Get vaccinated -
If you are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis or if you have already been infected with any form of the hepatitis virus, consult 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 suggested doses. Don not mix medications and alcohol. Consult your doctor before mixing herbal supplements or prescription or nonprescription drugs.
• Avoid connection with other people's blood and body fluids -
Hepatitis viruses can be layout by accidental needle sticks or improper cleanup of blood or body fluids.
• Keep your food safe -
Wash your hands completely before eating or preparing any foods. If traveling in a developing country, use water bottle to drink, wash your hands and brush your teeth.
• Take care with aerosol sprays -
Definitely use these products in a well-ventilated area, and wear a mask when spraying insecticides, fungicides, paint and other toxic chemicals. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Protect your skin -
When you are using insecticides and other toxic chemicals, you should wear gloves, long sleeves, a hat and a mask so that chemicals are not absorbed from your skin.
• Maintain a healthy weight -
Obesity can give rise to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Diagnosis :
Finding the cause and extent of liver damage is main in guiding treatment. Your doctor is probabely to begin with a health history and thorough physical examination.
Your doctor may then recommend:
• Blood tests -
A group of blood tests known as liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to see for specific liver problems or genetic conditions.
• Imaging tests -
Ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage
• Checking a tissue sample -
Taking out a tissue sample (biopsy) from your liver can help diagnose liver disease and look for signs of liver damage. A liver biopsy is most frequently done using a long needle inserted through the skin to extract a tissue sample that is sent to a lab for testing.
Treatment
Treatment for liver disease depends on your diagnosis. Some liver problems can be treated with lifestyle modifications, like stop using alcohol or losing weight, generally as part of a medical program that involves careful monitoring of liver function. Other liver problems can be treated with medications or may needed surgery.
Treatment for liver disease that cause or has led to liver failure may ultimately needed a liver transplant.