Liver Disorders & Diseases

As the largest internal organ in the human body, the liver is responsible for more than 100 different bodily functions. The complexity of this important organ makes it prone to various diseases and disorders. Although most are rare, some of the most common diseases include cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver cancer, alcohol-induced disorders, and liver problems in children. Common symptoms of a liver disorder may include those linked with digestive problems, as well as blood sugar problems, metabolism difficulties and excessive absorption of fats.

Cirrhosis

• Cirrhosis ranks third in diseases as a leading cause of death among people ranging from ages 25 to 59 and is the seventh top cause of death for all ages. According to the American Liver Foundation, cirrhosis claims more than 25,000 Americans annually. A disease that progresses slowly, cirrhosis is a condition where scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. Although the liver is able to make needed repairs in mild cirrhosis, in more advanced cases there's more scar tissue forming in the liver, hindering the liver to properly function.

Jaundice

• Jaundice, which causes both the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow, is caused by excessive bile pigment (bilirubin), which is a yellow-colored hemoglobin chemical. With the breakdown or red blood cells, the body replaces them, building new cells. The liver processes old cells, but when it can't handle blood cells breaking down, billrubin builds up in the body causing the skin to appear yellow. Usually, jaundice is the initial or only symptom of liver disease.

Viral Hepatitis

• A contagious liver infection, viral hepatitis (also called hepatitis) afflicts more than 70,000 Americans annually. Symptoms may begin suddenly, and lasting for several weeks, followed by a patient resting from 2 to 12 weeks. The disease has flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, mild fever, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting and occasional diarrhea, in addition to muscle and joint aches. The liver may also become tender and enlarged.

Types of Hepatitis

• There are several types of hepatitis. Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus known as HAV, a liver disease, spreads mostly through contaminated water from stools of an infected person or through food. Contact through anal or oral sex with someone having HAV is another way to contract it. The virus can cause liver swelling, although it usually doesn't cause permanent damage. Symptoms are similar to flu symptoms and after several weeks, symptoms improve. Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus and is similar to the flu and sometimes lacks any symptoms. Hepatitis C (the non-A, non-C hepatitis) is caused by contract with contaminated blood or sexual contact with someone who's infected with hepatitis.

Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease

• Just as its name suggests, alcohol-induced liver disease is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The most common type of this disease is known as fatty liver in which the liver enlarges, resulting in abdominal pain on the right side. Alcohol hepatitis is another type with symptoms including fever, increased white blood cells, jaundice and an enlarged liver. The skin showing spider-like veins is another sign.

Hemochromatosis

• Hemochromatosis, which is also known as iron overload disease, is a metabolic disorder, typified by too much iron from food being absorbed. Rather than getting rid of excess iron, it gets stored throughout the body, which includes the pancreas and liver, damaging the organs. A hereditary disease, hemochromatosis can cause liver failure, liver cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Wilson's Disease

• Wilson's disease occurs when excessive copper is retained in the liver. This causes the copper to be released into the bloodstream, damaging kidneys and causing brain damage.