Liver Problems: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

The liver is the largest gland and viscera in an animal or human body responsible for digesting food, removing wastes, filtering blood, etc. It is a dark-reddish brown, wedge-shaped organ consisting of two lobes and is positioned in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, below the diaphragm. 

• A healthy person's liver usually weighs around 1.3 kg or 3 pounds.
• Over time, due to unhealthy lifestyle conditions that damage the liver and cause various liver problems.
• Examples of liver problems include hepatitis C, fatty liver, cirrhosis, etc.

​In this article, we will read more about what are liver problems, types of liver problems, causes, symptoms, and prevention of liver problems. 

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What are Liver Problems?

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The liver is one of the vital organs that performs various essential functions in your body. It primarily functions in detoxifying the blood to maintain a healthy liver. However, excess accumulation of toxins can damage the liver and can cause serious liver problems.

• A liver disease can affect the metabolisms, digestion, immunity, and storage of vitamins.
• When the doctor refers to a liver problem or disease, they mean chronic liver conditions that can damage the liver with time.
• Chronic liver condition has 4 stages: hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.

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Types of Liver Problems

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Various types of liver problems are caused by toxin accumulation, viruses, or even caused by genetic inheritance. A few common liver problems are as follows:

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a liver condition caused by the spread of viruses leading to an enlarged liver eventually causing the liver to function poorly. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis, C, and Hepatitis D are the 5 variants. 

• These infections can be acute (lasting six months or less) or chronic (lasting more than six months).
• A virus causes viral hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver.
• Although hepatitis is infectious, it does not necessarily result in symptoms.
• This implies that it can be spread and contracted without the person being aware of it.
• Getting vaccinated can help reduce your risk for hepatitis.

Fatty liver disease

When fat accumulates in the liver, this condition is termed fatty liver disease. Too much fat in the liver causes it to expand and become irritated. Fatty liver disease can be classified into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

• Alcoholic fatty liver disease arises as a result of long-term heavy drinking.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease doesn’t have a clear cause, though diet may play a role in some cases.
• Both types can lead to Cirrhosis (scarring), a condition in which the liver is permanently damaged as a result of inflammation.
• Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease include nausea, fever, itchy skin, jaundice, fatigue, weight loss, and swelling in the legs and abdomen.

Genetic Condition

There are various common genetic conditions inherited from parents that can cause liver problems. These diseases are as follows: 

• Hereditary Hemochromatosis is a condition that results in the storage of excess iron in your organs.
• A condition that causes your liver to store copper instead of releasing it is called Wilson disease.
• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is a condition wherein your body is unable to make enough alpha-1 antitrypsin, which is mostly produced in your liver.
• Symptoms of Genetic Conditions include abdominal pain, jaundice, joint pain, decreased appetite, fatigue, and low energy.

Autoimmune Condition

An autoimmune disease is a condition that involves our immune system attacking healthy tissue in our body. The immune system can attack the liver and can cause inflammation and scarring. Various autoimmune conditions include: 

• Autoimmune hepatitis- it can develop suddenly and if untreated can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.
• Primary binary cirrhosis (PBC)- this condition can affect the bile ducts leading to a build-up of bile. 
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis- this disease gradually damages the bile ducts, thereby blocking them. 
• Symptoms of autoimmune condition include chills, night sweats, pain in your right abdomen, enlarged liver, spleen, or abdomen.
• Itchy skin, dark urine, and pale stool, fatigue, and nausea are some other symptoms.

Cirrhosis

When your liver is harmed by inflammation or swelling, it develops cirrhosis or scarring. Cirrhosis can be caused by a variety of liver disorders, including alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatitis, although it takes time to develop.

• Other diseases like cystic fibrosis and syphilis may damage the liver and can lead to cirrhosis.
• It is necessary to treat the disease at the earliest, delaying which can be life-threatening.
• Symptoms of Cirrhosis include fatigue and weakness, decreased appetite, unexplained weight loss, easy bruising or bleeding.
• Nausea, leg and abdominal pain, and itchy skin are some other symptoms.

Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer is any cancer that begins in the liver. The most prevalent kind of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma, often known as HCC. While liver cancer can be referred to as any cancer that starts in the liver, it's most commonly used to describe HCC.

• The progression of liver cancer is generally sluggish.
• During the early stages, you may not notice any symptoms.
• It's critical to consult your doctor as soon as you detect any symptoms as the early treatment might mean a better prognosis.
• Symptoms of Liver Cancer are similar to other liver problems. 

Liver Failure

Chronic or acute liver failure is also possible. Cirrhosis is generally the cause of this failure. It usually occurs in the late stages of liver disease, when the liver is too damaged to function properly.

• Most of the time, it's a slow process.
• Acute liver failure can be caused by overdoses, particularly acetaminophen overdoses.
• This is a kind of liver failure that occurs over a few days or weeks rather than months or years.
• It’s not as common as chronic liver failure, but acute liver failure is very serious.
• Symptoms that can point to early liver failure include appetite loss, fatigue, nausea, Diarrhea
• Fatigue, Confusion, and Coma are signs of later liver failure.
• Active liver failure shows symptoms like pain or swelling in your right abdomen, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and tiredness.

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Causes of Liver Problems

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When the liver fails to function properly due to disease or damage, the body suffers negative consequences that can vary from mild to life-threatening. Hepatitis, fatty liver disease, hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, and cancer are a few of the illnesses that impair the liver's function. 

• Liver problems are caused when the immune system functions abnormally. 
• Abnormal genes which are inherited from parents can cause damage to the liver.
• Some causes of liver problems involve chronic alcohol abuse.
• Infections caused by parasites or viruses cause inflammation in the liver thereby damaging it.
• Fat accumulation in the liver is also one of the causes of the problems.
• Certain medications and long-term contact with chemicals also lead to liver diseases.

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Symptoms of Liver Problems

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The symptoms of liver problems widely vary because of the number of factors that can act as potential causative agents for liver problems. However, these are some of the common characteristic symptoms of liver problems:

• Jaundice
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Persistent Fatigue
• Swelling of the limbs
• Itches and rashes
• Dark urine
• Bloody stool, or dark stools
• Pain in the abdominal region
• Swelling in the abdominal region
• Slower blood clotting

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Prevention of Liver Problems

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Taking active efforts toward a healthy lifestyle is the greatest approach to avoiding liver disease. The following are some suggestions to help keep the liver in good working order:

• Avoid Illicit Drugs- Illicit drugs are poisons that the liver has to filter out. Taking these medications can have long-term consequences.
• Moderate Alcohol Consumption- Alcohol is broken down by the liver. While the liver can handle small amounts of alcohol, excessive use can harm the liver.
• Exercise on a Regular Basis- Maintaining a regular exercise regimen will aid in the overall health of all organs, including the liver.
• Eat Healthy Foods- Eating too much fat can impair the liver's ability to function, leading to fatty liver disease.
• Get Vaccinated- Get vaccines against hepatitis A and B, as well as illnesses that develop in the liver like malaria and yellow fever. 
• Distant yourself from other people’s body fluids and blood- Hepatitis virus spreads easily by the fluids and blood of another individual.

 

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Things to Remember

• The liver problem arises when the liver does not function properly due to injury or illness.
• According to the American Liver Foundation, at least 10% of Americans suffer from liver disease in some form. 
• Hepatitis C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and liver cancer are also the most common symptoms of liver problems.
• Cancer, autoimmune illnesses, and genetic or metabolic abnormalities are some of the other reasons for liver disease.
• Unfortunately, many symptoms of liver problems are not visible until the damage has occurred. 
• According to population-based research, 69 per cent of individuals with cirrhosis are unaware that they have the illness. 

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Previous Year Questions

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