The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body. When the liver is plagued by disease or injury, the liver is unable to fulfill a lot of essential body functions, causing the body significant damage. Liver problems are also referred to as hepatic disorders. However, this is a very general term covering any problem that may occur with your liver that hampers its functions. Bear in mind, however, that normally, over 75% of liver tissue needs to get affected before any significant function decrease occurs.
Common Liver Problems
The liver can undergo damage in several ways:
- Liver cells could get inflamed, like in hepatitis
- Flow of bile may be obstructed, like in cholestasis
- Accumulation of triglycerides or cholesterol could occur, like in steatosis
- The blood supply to the liver may be hampered or compromised.
- Mineral or chemicals could damage the liver tissue or get infiltrated by the abnormal cells.
Alcohol abuse
This is perhaps the most popular cause of liver conditions in North America. Acting as a direct toxicant on the liver’s cells, it leads to liver inflammation, which is known as ‘alcoholic hepatitis.’ In chronic abuse of alcohol, steatosis takes place and fat accumulation occurs on the liver cells. This causes the cells to alter their function or cease to function altogether.
Other, less common, diseases related to liver problems include infectious hepatitis, virus infections, fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic), hemochromatosis, Wilson’s Disease, Gilbert’s Disease, abnormalities in blood or bile flow, and cancer.
Liver Disease Induced By Drugs
It is possible that permanent damage or temporary inflammation be caused by drug or medicine exposure and overdose. The most common cause of such liver problems is overdosing on paracetamol or Tylenol. While some drugs need to be overdosed on to induce injury, others may be causing damage in spite of being consumed at the prescribed dose only.
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Cirrhosis is a liver disease that occurs at the later stages leading to liver failure. The liver tissue is scarred and loses its liver functions.
Signs of Liver Problems
Due to liver issues being of several types, the symptoms also vary depending on which disease has been contracted and what stage it has progressed to. Typical symptoms associated with liver disease include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain in the right top quadrant
- Jaundice (This is a yellowish discoloration of skin due to an increased level of bilirubin in the bloodstream.)
Seek Medical Help
If you, a family member, or friend has been experiencing symptoms relevant to liver diseases, it is essential that you get in touch with a medical professional as soon as possible for adequate medical advice. Delay in seeking help can worsen the condition.