Liver disease :
There are over 100 different types of hepatitis, affecting at least two million people in the UK.
Liver :
The liver is the second largest organ in the body. It works hard, performing thousands of complex functions, such as:
- Fight infections and diseases
- Removing toxins, such as alcohol, from the body
- Keeping cholesterol levels under control
- Thickening of the blood
- Release bile, which breaks down fat and aids in digestion
Liver disease usually doesn’t cause any obvious signs or symptoms until it progresses quickly enough that the liver has already been damaged.
At this stage, possible symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss and pallor.
Types of Liver Disease :
This page lists some specific types of liver diseases. The links provide more detailed information about each category:
· Alcoholic liver disease – where the liver is damaged after years of alcohol abuse, which can lead to cirrhosis (hardening of the liver).
· Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – accumulation of fat in the liver cavities, usually seen in overweight or obese people.
· Hepatitis – inflammation of the liver caused by toxic substances, such as alcohol or harmful substances.
· Haemochromatosis – an inherited disorder where the body gradually builds up more iron, usually around the liver.
· Primary biliary cirrhosis – a rare, chronic type of liver disease that damages the bile ducts in the liver.
All types of liver disease can cause cirrhosis (hardening of the liver), not just alcoholic liver disease.
Major Health Problem :
In the UK, liver disease is on the rise. There are three main causes of liver disease:
- obesity
- Undiagnosed hepatitis infection
- Abuse of alcohol
All of these are possible causes of liver disease that can be prevented now.