Chronic liver disease can wreak havoc on health due to the significant importance and function of this organ in the body. As the largest solid organ, the liver has many important jobs that keep the body operating correctly. Due to its function of making and secreting bile,
the liver can also be considered a gland in the body. Explore the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options to learn about this disease.
Symptoms
Because of the major purpose of the liver, when it's not working properly, people will usually have a general feeling of illness. Serious damage and illness can occur to the body when this organ is not operating correctly. The liver is so strong that it will continue to do its job effectively for a long period before function becomes affected. Generally, more than 75 percent of tissue must be impacted before the organ will cease to work correctly.
It's common to feel fatigued and weak, and you may also experience nausea and vomiting. Weight loss is also typical as a result of chronic liver disease and some patients also notice a distinct yellow discoloration of their skin due to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood stream. Pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen is another common symptom. In advanced stages, people may also experience unusual bruising, itchiness of the skin, confusion, abdominal bloating, and a reduction in muscle tissue.
Causes
Chronic liver disease can occur in a number of ways. Hepatitis can cause inflammation of cells. Cholestasis causes the obstruction bile flow through the organ. High cholesterol or triglyceride levels can create damage. Some people experience a reduced blood flow, which can lead to significant problems. Damage can also occur from the ingestion of chemicals or minerals. Infiltration of abnormal cells could occur if cancer is present.
Diagnosis
This organ functions somewhat like a factory in the body. When damage occurs to cells, the liver can replace them to an extent. However, if too much damage happens, loss of function will occur. Sometimes scar tissue replaces healthy cells and scar tissue will not function the way healthy cells would. If enough damage occurs, the organ may not be able to recover and resume healthy function. Diagnosis of disease involves a complete history and examination. A physician will look at all major body functions, including skin, lungs, heart, brain, nervous system, lungs, and cognitive function while blood and imaging tests also provide important data.
Treatment
The treatment protocol depends on the type of disease. Medications can help control issues and symptoms. Surgery is another option for resolving some complications such as gallbladder problems and the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. A last resort for some patients in acute failure stage involves a transplant.
Issues with this organ tend to develop slowly over time. A patient may succeed in ignoring physical symptoms for an extended period before finally seeking assistance from a physician. Over this period, significant damage can occur, which could make recovery more difficult. See a doctor if you notice these symptoms.