Liver disease

Liver Disease refers to a variety of conditions and disorders affecting the liver. Given the liver's vital role in detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion, these diseases can significantly impact overall health. Liver disease encompasses a broad spectrum of potential conditions and abnormalities affecting the liver. These can result from a variety of factors, including genetics, infection, toxic exposure, or chronic conditions like alcohol abuse or fatty liver disease.

Stage of liver damage

Types of Liver Disease

Several forms of liver disease exist, each with its own set of causes, symptoms, and treatment strategies:

Liver Tissue with NAFLD (48904411988)

Wilson's Disease

Wilson's disease is a rare inherited disorder causing excessive copper to accumulate in the liver, brain, and other vital organs. It results in hepatic and neurological dysfunction, leading to symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, and movement disorders.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver typically caused by viral infections. Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types:

• Hepatitis A usually resolves without treatment but can occasionally lead to acute liver failure.
• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can cause both acute and chronic infections. Chronic hepatitis can lead to severe liver damage, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), now more commonly referred to as primary biliary cholangitis, is a chronic liver disease characterized by the progressive destruction of the liver's bile ducts. This autoimmune disease's exact cause remains unknown, but it can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure if left untreated.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer usually occurring in individuals with chronic liver disease, especially those with cirrhosis due to hepatitis B or C or alcoholic liver disease.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease refers to a condition in which there is an excessive accumulation of fat within liver cells, also known as hepatic steatosis. It is characterized by an imbalance in the metabolism of lipids in the liver, leading to the abnormal storage of triglycerides. The disease is commonly associated with alcohol abuse (alcoholic fatty liver disease), but it can also occur in individuals who consume little to no alcohol (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD). Other risk factors include obesity, diabetes mellitus type 2, hyperlipidemia, and certain genetic predispositions.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of liver disease typically involves a combination of a detailed medical history, physical examination, blood tests (liver function tests), imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, and in some cases, liver biopsy.

Treatment and Management

Treatment for liver disease depends on the specific type of liver disease. It can range from lifestyle modifications, antiviral medications, immunosuppressive drugs, to surgical interventions such as liver transplantation in severe cases.

Prevention

Prevention strategies can include regular vaccinations, practicing safe sex, avoiding shared needles, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular screening in high-risk individuals.

References

• Poynard T, Ratziu V, Benhamou Y, et al. Natural history of liver fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The Lancet. 1997;349(9055):825-832.
• Roberts EA, Schilsky ML. Diagnosis and treatment of Wilson disease: an update. Hepatology. 2008;47(6):2089-2111.
• Beuers U, Gershwin ME, Gish RG, et al. Changing nomenclature for PBC: From 'cirrhosis' to 'cholangitis'. Hepatology. 2015;62(5):1620-1622.
• Forner A, Llovet JM, Bruix J. Hepatocellular carcinoma. The Lancet. 2012;379(9822):1245-1255.

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