The liver is one of the most important organs in our body with numerous metabolic, energy-storing, and waste-filtering functions. It aids in food digestion, production, and storage. It also helps to filter toxins from the bloodstream. It is an essential organ for the normal functioning of our body.

However, several illnesses and conditions can harm the liver and result in serious complications. This can harm our day-to-day life as well as lead to severe conditions that can be life-threatening as well.

In this article, we will explore some common types of liver-related diseases, their causes, symptoms, and treatments as well as share some tips on preventing them and maintaining a healthy liver.

6 Common Liver Diseases – A Summary

Liver diseases can be classified into different categories based on their causes, such as:

1. Viral infections

Various virus strains can infect the liver and cause inflammation. These are the root cause of hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. One may contract the hepatitis virus by touching contaminated surfaces or consuming contaminated food or water. They can also be contracted through blood transfusion and body fluid transfusion.

Some types of hepatitis can become chronic (long-term) and lead to cirrhosis (scarring), liver cancer, or liver failure. In Asia, hepatitis B and C are particularly prevalent, but screening or vaccination can prevent them.

2. Autoimmune illnesses

In this kind of ailment, the immune system attacks healthy tissue liver and causes damage. Some examples are autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Although the precise reason for many of these illnesses is still unknown, environmental or genetic factors may play a role.

3. Genetic disorders

These are inherited conditions that affect the metabolism or storage of certain substances in the liver. Some examples are Wilson disease, hemochromatosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and cystic fibrosis. These disorders can cause the accumulation of toxic substances in the liver or other organs and lead to various complications.

4. Alcohol-related liver diseases

These result from excessive alcohol consumption over a long period. Alcohol can inflame the liver and harm the cells, causing fatty deposits, fibrosis, cirrhosis, or cancer. The amount and duration of alcohol intake and other factors such as genetics, nutrition, and coexisting diseases can influence the severity and progression of alcohol-related liver illnesses.

5. Non-alcoholic fatty liver

Often known as NAFLD, this is caused due to the gathering of extra fat in the liver due to causes other than alcohol. NAFLD is becoming increasingly prevalent with the rise of diabetes and obesity.

NAFLD can be divided into two subtypes: non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), which is usually benign and does not cause significant liver damage, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is a more severe form that involves inflammation and fibrosis and can progress to cirrhosis or cancer.

6. Liver cancer

This is a malignant growth of abnormal cells in the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most typical liver cancer(HCC) originating from the liver cells. Other types include cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), angiosarcoma (blood vessel cancer), and metastatic cancer (cancer that spreads from other organs to the liver). Chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, aflatoxin exposure, and genetic disorders can all contribute to liver cancer.

Common Symptoms of Liver Diseases

Liver diseases may not cause any symptoms in their early stages. However, some signs and symptoms may appear as the disease progresses and liver function deteriorates. These include:

• Jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes brought on by an excess of bilirubin, a colour produced as red blood cells degrade. The liver typically excretes bilirubin into bile but it can build up in the blood and tissues when damaged or obstructed.
• Gallstones, tumours, fluid build-up in the abdomen (ascites), or inflammation or enlargement of the liver or spleen can all contribute to abdominal pain or swelling.
• Bile salts or other substances that build up in the skin due to impaired bile flow or excretion can cause itching.
• Reduced bile production or bile duct obstruction that prevents bile from reaching the intestines can result in dark urine or pale stools.
• Bleeding or bruising easily can result from decreased liver production, increased clotting factor activity, or elevated pressure in a vein called the portal that transports blood from the stomach and intestines to the liver (portal hypertension).
• Weakness or exhaustion may result from reduced energy production or storage by the liver or the accumulation of toxins in the blood that affect brain function (hepatic encephalopathy).
• Reduced liver or bile duct nutrient digestion or absorption and increased metabolic demands due to inflammation or infection can all contribute to loss of appetite or weight.
• Vomiting or nausea: These symptoms may result from reduced bile flow or increased blood toxins, which can irritate or inflame the stomach or intestines.
• Fever or chills: Infection or inflammation of the liver or bile ducts can cause these symptoms.

Diagnosis of Liver Diseases

If you have symptoms or risk factors for liver disease, your healthcare provider may order some tests to evaluate your liver function and identify the cause of your condition. Some of the standard tests include:

Treatment of Liver-related Diseases

Treatment for liver conditions depends on the type, cause, severity, and complications related to the ailment. Commonly, treatment may include:

• Medications: These can include antiviral drugs for viral hepatitis, immunosuppressive drugs for autoimmune disorders, antibiotics for infections, diuretics for fluid retention, beta-blockers for portal hypertension, lactulose for hepatic encephalopathy, ursodeoxycholic acid for PBC or PSC, chelating agents for Wilson disease or hemochromatosis, and pain relievers for discomfort.
• Lifestyle changes: These can include avoiding alcohol and other toxins that can damage the liver, eating a balanced diet that is low in fat and salt and high in fibre and antioxidants, maintaining a healthy weight, routinely exercising, managing diabetes and cholesterol levels, and quitting smoking.
• Endoscopic procedures: These can include placing rubber bands around varices to stop bleeding (banding), injecting a chemical into varices to shrink them (sclerotherapy), placing a metal mesh tube into bile ducts to keep them open (stenting), or destroying tumours using heat, cold, electricity, or radiation (ablation).
• Surgery: Through which a part of the liver that has cancer or another disease (resection) can be removed or a bypass between the portal vein and another vein is created to lower portal hypertension (shunt). Surgery can also be performed to remove gallstones or tumours from the bile ducts (cholecystectomy or choledocholithotomy) or replace the whole liver with a healthy one from a donor (transplantation).

How can Liver Diseases be Prevented?

Here are some ways to prevent liver diseases or reduce their progression:

Outlook for People with Liver Diseases

The prognosis for people with liver diseases varies depending on the condition’s type, cause, severity, and complications. Some liver diseases can be cured with medications or surgery. Others can be controlled with supportive care and dietary adjustments. However, some liver diseases can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. These illnesses may necessitate a liver transplant and pose a hazard to life.

The best way to improve your outlook is to seek early diagnosis and treatment for any signs or symptoms of liver disease. You should also follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations on managing your liver and preventing further damage. Doing so can enhance your quality of life and avoid serious complications.

How Can You Take Care of Your Liver?

Among the vital functions, the liver performs many metabolic, energy-storing, and waste-filtering processes. It helps break down food, making and storing it until needed. Additionally, it helps with bloodstream toxicity filtration.

Therefore, taking good care of your liver and keeping it healthy is essential.

Here are some of the ways to take care of your liver:

• Eat a balanced, low-fat diet high in fibre and antioxidants. Include foods good for your liver, including fruits, vegetables, whole cereals, nuts, seeds, lean protein, legumes, and healthy fats. Avoid food that is bad for your liver, such as processed foods, fried foods, red meat, sugar, refined carbohydrates, and trans fats.
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water as water helps in flushing out toxins from your body. Aim to limit your alcohol and caffeine intake, which can dehydrate and damage your liver. One drink daily for women and two for males is the recommended maximum alcohol consumption.
• Exercise regularly to maintain and improve your health your blood circulation. Excess weight can pressure your liver and increase your risk of developing NAFLD or NASH. Physical activity can help burn calories, reduce fat accumulation in the liver, lower blood pressure, and prevent diabetes and cholesterol problems.
• Stop smoking or stay away from people who are smoking. Active or passive smoking can harm your liver by increasing oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer risk. It can also interfere with the liver’s metabolism and elimination of drugs and toxins.
• Limit your stress and get enough sleep. Stress can affect your liver by increasing cortisol levels, which can cause inflammation and fat accumulation. It can also affect your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections or autoimmune disorders. Sleep is also essential for your liver to regenerate and repair itself. Aim for at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep every night.
• Take medications only as per the prescription of your healthcare provider and follow the instructions carefully. Do not take more than the recommended dose or combine different medicines without consulting a physician. Some medications can harm your liver if taken excessively or for a long time. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol®), NSAIDs, statins, or herbal supplements. Always check with your healthcare provider before taking any new medications or supplements.
• Get regular check-ups and screenings for liver diseases if you have risk factors such as family history, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, or alcohol abuse. Early discovery and treatment can stop additional harm to your liver and improve your outcome. Some tests that can evaluate your liver function and identify the cause of your condition are blood tests, imaging tests, liver biopsy, and endoscopy.

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