Liver Diseases: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment
The liver is the largest organ in our body. It plays a significant role in the absorption process. Situated between our ribs, it secretes a substance called bile which is necessary for the digestion of food. It absorbs essential components from our diet and assimilates them into our body. With all this, we can conclude that for a healthy life an individual needs a strong liver. However, the organ is prone to illness as well. Our unhealthy lifestyle leads to liver diseases that become chronic and life-threatening. These diseases are known as hepatic disease.
Liver disease or Hepatic disease is used as a broad term which covers all the illness related to the liver. The different types of Liver disease are as follow:
Hepatitis A
It is an acute viral infection that is caused through a faecal-oral route. It causes acute inflammation of the organ which usually gets cured within 6 months. To cure Hepatitis A vaccine is used.
Hepatitis B
It is a viral infection that is caused by the exchange of bodily fluids. It is more likely to stick with a patient for more than 6 months. Also, it can lead to liver cancer if not treated properly.
Hepatitis C
It is a chronic viral infection that is caused by the transfusion of infected blood. The symptoms of this infection are not seen in an infected person for many years. It usually gets transferred while using an infected needle.
Wilson's Disease
It is a chronic disease that makes cooper stocked up in your liver. It mostly affects teens and can cause nerve and psychiatric problems if not treated properly.
Cirrhosis
It is a life-threatening disease that replaces your liver cells with scar tissue over a course of time. It is caused due to excessive alcohol consumption or long term infection like hepatitis B or C. Usually it is incurable but one can improve his/her condition if the problem is caught early.
Symptoms
The symptoms of liver disease are as follows:
Jaundice
Abdominal Pain
Itchy skin
Dark Urine Colour
Nausea
Vomiting
Chronic fatigue
Pale stool colour
Bloody stool
Swelling in the ankles and legs
Loss of appetite
Easy bruising
Causes of Liver Diseases
Genetics
Chronic liver diseases such as Hepatitis C or Cirrhosis can be genetically inherited by a patient. Most of the time Hepatitis C is transferred to a newborn baby from his/her mother.
Viral Infections
Hepatitis A and B are viral infections that are caused by contact with an infected person. The virus can be transmitted through unsafe sex or faecal-oral route.
Drug overdose
Overdose of drugs such as Statins which are used to increase the blood level of cholesterol can result in liver diseases. Another drug named Niacin can cause the inflammation of the liver.
Excessive consumption of Alcohol
It is the most common cause of liver diseases. It causes inflammation of the liver which is known as alcoholic hepatitis. Also, it is a significant cause of Cirrhosis which affect the functioning of the liver.
Treatment
Vaccine and Prescribed Drugs
For viral infection diseases such as Hepatitis A and B, there is a vaccine that can help in fighting the virus and for Hepatitis C doctors prescribe drugs such as ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni) and daclatasvir. In cirrhosis, doctors prescribe medicine to control the amount of protein absorbed in the diet.
Limiting Alcohol
It is advised by the best gastroenterologist in India to limit the amount of alcohol consumption. In our country, most of the patients who suffer from liver disease are heavy to drinkers. So, for a healthy liver, it is advised to limit alcohol consumption.
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