These conditions may develop for different reasons, but they can all damage your liver and impact its function. Liver disease symptoms vary, depending on the underlying cause.
However, there are some general symptoms that may indicate some kind of liver disease. Hepatitis is a viral infection of your liver. It causes inflammation and liver damage, making it difficult for your liver to function as it should. All types of hepatitis are contagious, but you can reduce your risk by getting vaccinated for types A and B or taking other preventive steps, including practicing safe sex and not sharing needles. Fat buildup in the liver can lead to fatty liver disease.
Left unmanaged, both types of fatty liver disease can cause liver damage, leading to cirrhosis and liver failure. Diet and other lifestyle changes can often improve symptoms and reduce your risk of complications. Autoimmune conditions involve your immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells in your body. Several autoimmune conditions involve your immune system attacking cells and your liver, including:.
Several genetic conditions, which you inherit from one of your parents, can also affect your liver:. Liver cancers first develop in your liver. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma. It tends to develop as several small sports of cancer in your liver, though it can also start as a single tumor.
Cirrhosis refers to scarring that results from liver diseases and other causes of liver damage, such as alcohol use disorder. Cystic fibrosis and syphilis may also lead to liver damage and, eventually, cirrhosis. Your liver can regenerate in response to damage, but this process usually results in the development of scar tissue.
The more scar tissue that develops, the harder it is for your liver to function properly. In its early stages, cirrhosis is often treatable by addressing the underlying cause. But left unmanaged, it can lead to other complications and become life-threatening.
Generally, liver failure related to liver disease and cirrhosis happens slowly. You may not have any symptoms at first. But over time, you might start to notice:. Author: myDr. Fatty liver Gastrointestinal Health November 6, ,. Appendicitis — Dr. Norman Swan Gastrointestinal Health October 26, ,.
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A doctor will likely ask the person about their symptoms, as well as their medical history. They will also conduct a physical examination. Some common tests to diagnose liver disease or damage include:. For some types of liver disease, a doctor may prescribe medications to help ease symptoms or treat the condition directly. A person with a diagnosis of liver cancer is likely to need different cancer treatments to remove or fight the disease. In some cases of liver failure, it may be possible to save part of the liver.
If this is not an option, a person may need to undergo liver transplant surgery. The outcome for people living with liver disease will vary depending on their age and overall health, the severity of the condition, and the effectiveness of treatment. A person should talk with a doctor about the treatments available. The doctor can explain whether the treatment is likely to cure the disease or whether there are other ways to manage the disease better.
They should be able to provide the person with a good idea of how well they might respond to treatment. A person may not experience any symptoms of their condition until they have lived with it for years.
It is important to talk to a doctor about any symptoms that may indicate a problem with the liver. Many types of liver disease produce similar symptoms, so a doctor may need to order tests to help them make a diagnosis and determine the best treatment options. Jaundice is a condition that causes skin and the whites of the eyes to turn yellow.
Jaundice usually occurs because of an underlying condition with…. People may not realize they have fatty liver disease because it is a 'silent disease.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition in which fatty deposits build up in the liver. Here, find out what causes it and how to manage it. Alcoholic liver disease is the primary cause of chronic liver disease in the U. It occurs as a result of chronic excessive…. Cirrhosis is a liver condition that causes irreversible scarring on the liver.
There are no symptoms in the early stages, but they develop as the…. What to know about liver disease symptoms. Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.
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