Liver Disease
- Jura Klimanis
- Jul 21, 2024
- 4 min read
What is it?
Any condition that affects the liver in a way that prevents it from working is referred to as a liver disease. Since it is a broad term, there are many different types. The liver is a vital organ that is responsible for many functions. These functions include producing bile, a fluid that breaks down fats for easier absorption and digestion, storing vitamins and minerals, filtering the blood by breaking down foreign substances and removing toxins. The liver is capable of regenerating itself and it is unable to communicate with the brain and other parts of the body as it does not have any nerve endings.
Severity/Complications
There are four different stages of liver disease: Hepatitis/inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. The first stage, hepatitis, is basically non stop inflammation. The liver becomes inflamed to get rid of infections. Then, collagen is produced to help the liver heal itself. Although an immediate response works, prolonged inflammation from continuing injury can cause scarring or fibrosis. The next stage, fibrosis, occurs from the nonstop healing. In this stage, when there is continued inflammation, the liver will try to heal itself with even more collagen instead of discarding it. This results in stiffness as scar tissue continues to add itself onto the liver from the increased collagen. This extra scar tissue reduces the blood flow through the liver, resulting in reduced access to oxygen and nutrients. In this stage, the damage is reversible. Cirrhosis, the third stage, is when fibrosis is no longer reversible and the scarring of the liver is permanent. This stage occurs when the tissue cannot regenerate from the lack of healthy cells the liver contains. The final stage of liver disease is liver failure, which is when the liver fails to function enough for the body’s needs. This stage is fatal and a liver transplant is required to continue living.
While the severity depends on the type of liver disease and the stage, untreated liver disease will lead to liver failure. With treatment, the progression of liver disease can be stopped and in the first two stages it can be reversed. Since the liver does not have any nerve endings, most people with liver disease do not feel sick. Liver disease creates a lot of complications.
One complication of liver disease is portal hypertension, most commonly caused by cirrhosis. Increased pressure of portal hypertension can cause ascites, which occurs when fluid builds up in the abdominal cavity. It can result in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, which can be fatal if left untreated. Liver disease can cause people to experience different amounts of fluid build up, but increased fluid can cause the stomach to resemble the stomach of a pregnant person, weight gain, and swelling as well as pain and discomfort.
Hepatorenal Syndrome is also a complication of liver disease. While the cause is unknown, around 10% of people with cirrhosis or ascites will develop it. Hepatorenal Syndrome reduces the blood flow to the kidney which worsens the kidney’s function over time.
Symptoms
Stomach pain or swelling
Loss of Appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Dark urine
Itching of the skin
Fatigue
Jaundice, the yellowing of the sclera and skin
What causes it?
Liver Disease has many causes. Parasites and viruses spread through bloods, semen, water, or contact with an infected person can cause liver disease. The most common types of viruses or infections that cause liver disease are hepatitis viruses.
Excessive alcohol consumption is also a common cause of liver disease. The liver’s job is to filter blood from toxins including alcohol. Alcohol abuse will lead to hepatitis and eventually the other stages of liver disease. Genetics can cause liver disease as well. Wilson’s disease and Hemochromatosis are two common genetic liver diseases.
Other common causes or factors that can increase the risk of liver disease include cancer, fatty liver disease, poor diet, obesity, reactions to medications or chemicals, shared needles, unprotected sex, type 2 diabetes and autoimmune disease.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the stage and cause of the liver disease. Medications that can improve liver function or manage symptoms may be prescribed. A lifestyle change can also be recommended depending on the cause of the liver disease. For example, not drinking alcohol, losing weight, and reducing the consumption of fatty foods. It’s also important to prevent liver disease. Limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, regularly exercising and eating a healthy diet can improve liver health and prevent liver disease. With treatment, some stages of liver disease can be reversed while other stages like cirrhosis can be stopped from progressing to the next.
Citations:
“Ascites: Facts & Treatments.” American Liver Foundation, https://liverfoundation.org/liver-diseases/complications-of-liver-disease/ascites/ Accessed 10 July 2024.
“Hepatorenal Syndrome.” American Liver Foundation, https://liverfoundation.org/liver-diseases/complications-of-liver-disease/hepatorenal-syndrome/ Accessed 10 July 2024.
“Liver Disease.” Aurora Health Care, https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/gastroenterology-colorectal-surgery/liver-disease#:~:text=Treatment%20for%20liver%20disease%20depends,of%20fatty%20foods%20you%20eat. Accessed 10 July 2024
“Liver Disease.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Feb. 2024, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502 Accessed 10 July 2024
“The Liver and Its Functions.” Liver Functions, Location, Anatomy and Disease | Columbia Surgery,https://columbiasurgery.org/liver/liver-and-its-functions#:~:text=The%20liver%20filters%20all%20of,lobules%20(or%20small%20lobes) Accessed 10 July 2024.
“The Stages of Liver Disease - American Liver Foundation.” American Liver Foundation, https://liverfoundation.org/about-your-liver/how-liver-diseases-progress/ Accessed 10 July 2024.
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