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liver disease Images (Click to view larger image)
Definition
Liver disease is a term for a collection of conditions, diseases, and infections that affect the cells, tissues, structures, or functions of the liver.
What is going on in the body?
The liver is an important organ in the body located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. It is responsible for: - filtering the blood
- making bile, a substance that aids in digestion and helps rid the body of harmful substances
- processing fats and sugars, helping the body store energy for later use
- making important proteins, such as those involved in blood clotting
- metabolising many medications, such as barbiturates, sedatives, and amphetamines
- the storage of vitamins A, B12, D, and several of the B-complex vitamins. The liver also stores iron and copper.
If the liver becomes inflamed or infected, its ability to perform these functions may be impaired. Liver disease and infections are caused by a variety of conditions including viral infections, bacterial invasion, and chemical or physical changes within the body. The most common cause of liver damage is malnutrition, especially that which occurs with alcoholism.
Symptoms of liver disease may be acute, occurring suddenly, or chronic, developing slowly over a long period of time. Chronic liver disease is much more common than acute. The rates of chronic liver disease for men are two times higher than for women. Liver disease may range from mild to severe depending on the type of disease present.
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
Symptoms partly depend on the type and the extent of liver disease. In many cases, there may be no symptoms. Signs and symptoms that may occur include: A rare but severe form of the liver infection called acute fulminant hepatitis causes liver failure. Symptoms of liver failure include: - an enlarged and tender liver
- enlarged spleen
- susceptibility to bleeding
- encephalopathy, which is a disorder that affects how the brain functions
- changes in mental status or level of consciousness
- ascites, which is an accumulation of fluid inside the abdomen
- oedema or swelling under the skin
- aplastic anaemia, a condition in which the bone marrow cannot make blood cells
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Liver disease can be caused by a variety of factors. Causes include: - congenital birth defects, or abnormalities of the liver present at birth
- metabolic disorders, or defects in basic body processes
- viral or bacterial infections
- alcohol or poisoning by toxins
- certain medications that are toxic to the liver
- nutritional deficiencies
- trauma, or injury
Common liver diseases in children include: - galactosemia, an inherited disease in which the body can not tolerate certain sugars in milk. These sugars can build up, causing serious damage to the liver and other organs of the body.
- alagille syndrome, a condition in which the bile ducts narrow and deteriorate, especially during the first year of life
- alpha 1- antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic liver disease in children that can lead to hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver
- neonatal hepatitis, which is hepatitis that occurs in a newborn during the first few months of life
- tyrosinemia, a disorder that causes serious problems with liver metabolism
- haemorrhagic telangiectasia, a condition in which thin blood vessels allow frequent and easy bleeding of the skin and digestive tract
- Reye's syndrome, a condition that causes a buildup of fat in the liver
- Wilson's disease, an inherited condition that causes a buildup of the mineral copper in the liver
- thalassemia, a group of hereditary anaemias, or low red blood cell counts
- biliary atresia, a condition in which the bile ducts extending from the liver to the intestine are too small in diameter or are missing
- chronic active hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe scarring and interference with liver function
- cancer of the liver, which may result from cancer in other parts of the body that have spread to the liver
Common liver diseases seen in adults include: - cirrhosis, which is a serious condition that causes tissues and cells in the liver to be replaced by scar tissue. This results in serious complications throughout the liver and other organs of the body.
- type I glycogen storage disease, which causes problems in controlling blood sugars when a person fasts
- porphyria, a condition that causes a malfunction in how the body uses porphyrins. Porphyrins are important in making the red blood cells and carrying oxygen throughout the body.
- haemochromatosis, a condition which causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. The iron build up causes damage to the liver and other organs.
- primary sclerosing cholangitis, a condition that causes the bile ducts of the liver to narrow due to inflammation and scarring
- sarcoidosis, a disease that causes a build up of lesions within the liver and other organs of the body
- gallstones, which may block the bile duct
- hepatitis, an inflammation and infection of the liver caused by a number of viruses
- cystic disease of the liver, which causes lesions and fluid-filled masses in the liver
alcohol-related liver diseases include: - fatty liver disease, which causes an enlarged liver
- alcoholic hepatitis
- alcoholic cirrhosis
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Some liver diseases can be prevented, while others cannot. For example, hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented with vaccines. Other ways to decrease the risk of infectious liver disease include: - practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands well after using the restroom or changing nappies
- avoiding drinking or using tap water when travelling internationally
- avoiding behaviours like sharing drug needles
- practicing safer sex
- avoiding the sharing of personal hygiene items, such as razors or nail clippers
- avoiding toxic substances and excess alcohol consumption
- avoiding improper combinations or use of medications
- using caution around industrial chemicals
- eating a well balanced diet following the Australian Guide To Healthy Eating
- getting an injection of immune globulin after exposure to hepatitis A or hepatitis B. This may prevent the hepatitis A or B infection from developing.
- the use of safety precautions by healthcare and day care workers
Some forms of liver disease, such as liver disease a person is born with, cannot be prevented.
How is the disease diagnosed?
A doctor can determine whether a person's symptoms, medical history, and physical examination are consistent with liver disease. Splenomegaly, or an enlarged, firm liver, and other signs of liver disease may be found on examination. Many further tests may also be used to support the diagnosis. These include blood tests, such as: - liver function tests, which are blood tests that check a wide variety of liver enzymes and byproducts
- a full blood count, or FBC, which looks at the type and number of blood cells in the body
- abdominal X-rays
- ultrasounds, to show size of abdominal organs and the presence of masses
- an upper GI study, which can detect abnormalities in the oesophagus caused by liver disease
- liver scans with radio tagged substances to show changes in the liver structure
- ERCP, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A thin tube called an endoscope is used to view various structures in and around the liver.
- abdominal CT scan and abdominal MRI, which provide more information about the liver structure and function
In some cases, the only way to definitively diagnosis the presence of certain liver diseases is by a liver biopsy. This procedure involves the removal of a small piece of liver tissue for examination under a microscope. Liver biopsies may have to be done repeatedly to see how the disease is progressing or responding to treatment.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Long- term effects depend on the type of liver disease present. For example, chronic hepatitis can lead to: - cirrhosis of the liver
- liver failure
- illnesses in other parts of the body, such as kidney damage or low blood counts
Other long-term effects of liver disease may include: What are the risks to others?
Some liver diseases are highly contagious and pose a risk to others. For example, different forms of hepatitis are highly contagious through sexual contact or contamination of food and water. Other liver diseases are not contagious, such as biliary atresia.
What are the treatments for the disease?
Treatment for liver disease will include: Further treatment will depend on the type and the extent of disease. For example, treating hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D may involve the use of medications such as the antiviral medication alpha interferon. Other medications used to treat liver disease may include ribavirin, lamivudine, steroids, and antibiotics.
To treat Wilson's disease, the doctor may prescribe trientine or penicillamine. If these medications cannot be tolerated, the person may be asked to take zinc acetate.
Haemochromatosis is treated by removing a pint of blood once a week for 1 to 2 years. This will effectively deplete the excess iron.
Vitamin and mineral supplements are given to prevent complications from primary biliary cirrhosis. These include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and calcium. Cholestyramine may be given to help relieve itching.
biliary atresia may be treated with a procedure called the Kasai surgery, a procedure in which the surgeon replaces the bile ducts with part of the baby's intestine.
Acute fulminant hepatitis can cause life-threatening liver failure. This requires a hospital stay and treatment for the bleeding disorder, encephalopathy, and nutritional problems. Sometimes, the only effective treatment for certain liver diseases is a liver transplant.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects will depend on the treatments used for the liver disease. Antibiotics may cause stomach upset or allergic reactions. Side effects of interferon include a flu-like illness, with fever, and body aches. A liver transplant can cause many problems, including failure or rejection of the new liver. After a liver transplant, a person will need to take powerful antirejection medications for the rest of his or her life. Side effects of these medications increase the person's risk for infections, certain cancers, and other problems.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
What occurs after treatment will depend on the type of liver disease and the response to treatment. For example, people with hepatitis A will not usually need medication after the disease has been resolved. They can return to a normal lifestyle when symptoms are gone, even if they still have some jaundice. A person with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or hepatitis D will be monitored for side effects and benefits during and after interferon treatment. Alpha interferon treatment might be repeated if the disease flares up again. A person who has received a liver transplant is checked for further disease, as well as for function of the new liver.
How is the disease monitored?
Monitoring will depend on the type of liver disease. Periodic visits to the doctor and liver function tests may be used to monitor the disease and to see how the liver is working. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor. The status of the liver may require repeated liver biopsies. Decisions for further treatment or liver transplantation are frequently made based on these tests.
Author: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel
Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia
Last Updated: 1/10/2001
Contributors
Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request |
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