What Is Liver Disease?

By Author: Amit Kothiyal
Total Articles: 287
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Liver disease is basically any kind of problem in normal functioning of the liver. The liver is responsible for many important functions within the body and if there is a problem with liver it can cause major harm to the body. Liver disease is also called hepatic disease.


Liver disease is an all inclusive term that includes all the possible problems that can happen as regards to functioning of liver.


The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is also regarded as a gland because it secretes bile. It is situated in the upper right portion of the abdomen and is enclosed inside the rib cage.


Few of the common liver diseases symptoms are nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, weight loss, weakness, jaundice etc. Nevertheless, as there are a number of liver diseases, the liver diseases symptoms are different for different diseases until late-stage liver disease and liver failure takes place.


Examples of liver disease symptoms due to certain conditions or diseases include:


...
... A person who has stones in gall bladder may go through pain in right side of abdomen and vomiting after he or she eats something heavy. If the gallbladder gets infected, he may also fall sick.


Gilbert's disease does not have any symptom.


People with cirrhosis will build on progressive symptoms as the liver does not perform its functions properly.


Treatment of liver diseases varies from disease to disease. Every liver disease will have its own particular treatment. For example, a person suffering from hepatitis A needs supportive care to keep up hydration as the body's immune system fights the infection. Patients with gallstones need surgery for removal of the stones. Treatment of liver diseases needs long-term medical care so that the condition does not recur.


In case of end-stage liver disease, medicines are needed to control the amount of protein taken up in the diet. A cirrhosis patient may not be able to metabolize the waste products, and this would result in raised levels of ammonia in the body. Low sodium diet and water pills (diuretics) are then needed to decrease water retention.


There are a number of causes of liver damage. Apart from for gallstone disease and few viral infections such as Hepatitis A and infectious mononucleosis, generally all other liver diseases can just be managed and not be cured completely.

A minor liver ailment can also develop into cirrhosis and liver failure. Some liver diseases are linked with a chance for developing liver cancer.