The liver is a vital organ in the human body. It helps in digesting food and then distributes nutrients to the body, converts energy, and serves as a storehouse of energy. Various conditions can cause problems in the liver’s functions. Hepatitis infections, alcoholic cirrhosis, and Autoimmune conditions can cause problems for the liver.
Let’s understand the causes of Liver Diseases
Causes and Risk Factors of Liver Diseases
- Alcoholic Liver diseases can cause Liver cirrhosis. It can severely impact the liver’s functions.
- Non alcoholic Liver Diseases – Conditions like obesity and metabolic disorders can cause fatty liver or Non alcoholic liver diseases.
- Viral Infections can cause chronic liver diseases due to the damage caused by infections such as Hepatitis A, B, and C.
- Autoimmune diseases, such as Wilson’s disease, can cause excessive levels of iron in the blood, leading to liver damage.
- Certain medicines can affect the liver.
- Other chronic illnesses: Diabetes mellitus type 2, and other infections, etc
Symptoms of Liver Diseases
- Jaundice – Yellow discolouration of skin, nails, eyes.
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lack of appetite, A person does not feel like eating
- Itchy skin
- Easy bruising and bleeding
Complications of Liver Diseases
- Liver Cancer
- Liver Failure, where the liver can not function at all
- Portal hypertension: Portal veins carry blood from the digestive tract to the liver. The blood pressure in the portal veins increases.
Diagnosis of Liver Diseases
- Diagnosis of liver diseases relies on a detailed medical history and a thorough physical examination.
- Blood tests to rule out infections or any other underlying diseases.
- Blood tests include
- Complete blood count
- Hepatitis antigen tests A, B, C, E, etc
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate – ESR. Other tests to rule out our immunological diseases
- Sonography
- MRI scan
- CT scan
Treatment for Liver Diseases
- Oral Medications
- Intravenous medications
- Treatment according to the underlying illness
Liver diseases are a challenging condition, and the liver is a vital organ. Whenever you notice any symptoms that are troubling you and you have doubts about them, it is advisable to visit a doctor. Do not self-medicate; self-medication can be harmful. Let’s be accountable and take a responsible step to the early detection of symptoms for rapid healing.