The liver is an essential organ that functions to remove toxins from the body, help blood to clot, regulate cholesterol level and release bile that helps with digestion. When any condition of the liver develops, it can affect its normal function. There are various types of liver disease that may not cause any obvious symptoms until the condition has reached an advanced stage or the liver has become damaged. Some of the common types of liver disease include alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, biliary atresia, hemochromatosis and primary biliary cirrhosis.
Alcoholic Liver disease
This develops as the result of alcohol abuse over several years. The three main stages of the alcohol-related liver disease include alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. The initial stage of this disease can be reversed by not drinking alcohol. Cirrhosis is the final stage of this disease presenting scarring of the liver that can affect its normal function which is not reversible. The symptoms of this disease include poor appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, fluid accumulation in the legs and the abdomen. The only treatment for the alcoholic liver disease is to stop drinking which can prevent further damage to the liver.
Hemochromatosis
This is an inherited disease that develops when the body absorbs the excess amount of iron from the food consumed. Normally, only the daily requirement of iron is absorbed from the diet and the rest is excreted. Among the individuals with this condition, the body continues to absorb the iron that is stored in different organs. When the liver cannot store iron anymore, its accumulation continues in other parts of the body such as the heart, pituitary gland and elsewhere. If untreated, death can occur from the damage of the organs. Some of the symptoms include fatigue and swelling of the joints. The later stages can present jaundice, frequent urination, excess hunger and thirst, diabetes, grey colored skin, abdominal pain and distention of the stomach. The treatment for hemochromatosis involves a procedure known as venesection or phlebotomy (blood letting) which is done on a weekly basis.
Biliary atresia
This is a rare condition that occurs in early infancy and develops when the bile duct from the liver to the intestine is damaged. Hence the normal bile flow is affected. The bile flow should be reestablished or the liver can gradually lose function resulting in the death of the infant within two years of age. Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, it is believed to be caused by the inflammation and blockage of the bile ducts. The common signs of biliary atresia include dark urine, newborn jaundice, clay-colored stool and an enlarged liver. The treatment involves a surgical procedure where the affected bile duct is removed and replaced with a proper drainage system using a section of the small intestine.
References
https://medlineplus.gov/liverdiseases.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/basics/causes/con-20025300
http://www.liver.ca/liver-disease/types/hemochromatosis.aspx
http://www.liver.ca/liver-disease/types/biliary-atresia.aspx
