Causes of Liver Disease

Liver disease may occur suddenly or develop slowly over the course of many decades. There are many reasons why you may develop liver disease, including personal habits, chronic illnesses, and exposure to poisons and infectious agents. Consider this information from the Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control about the causes of liver disease.

Alcohol

• If you are a regular, heavy drinker of alcohol, inflammation from drinking can cause you to develop liver disease over a long period of time (see Resources).

Bile Duct Disorders

• Medical conditions such as primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis can damage or destroy your bile ducts and cause liver disease.

Blood Disorders

• Disorders of your blood, such as hemochromatosis, may cause liver disease as a result of a buildup of too much iron in your blood.

Cystic Fibrosis

• Cystic fibrosis is a chronic condition that begins during childhood and can cause liver disease as you get older.

Fats

• Eating too many fatty foods such as meats and oils can cause you to develop liver disease as a result of a buildup of unprocessed fats in your liver.

Toxins

• If your job involves work with toxins such as industrial solvents or petroleum products, you may develop liver disease after many years of exposure.

Parasites

• Exposure to contaminated water may cause you to become infected with parasitic worms called schistosomes, which can cause chronic liver disease.