What is Liver Disease?

There are many kinds of liver diseases and conditions, the most common are hepatitis viruses, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune diseases, genetic conditions, cancer, and others. Liver disease has many causes such as:

  • Infections: Viruses and parasites can infect the liver. The most common infections are hepatitis viruses. Liver-damaging viruses can be spread through contaminated food or water, unscreened blood transfusions, sexual contact, exposure to blood/body fluids, and other ways.
  • Immune system abnormalities: Your immune system protects your body from germs and toxins. But that system can attack certain parts of your body (autoimmune), including your liver. Examples of autoimmune liver diseases include: autoimmune hepatitis; primary biliary cholangitis; primary sclerosing cholangitis.
  • Genetics: An abnormal gene inherited from one or both of your parents can cause liver damage. Genetic liver diseases include: hemochromatosis; Wilson's disease; alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
  • Cancer and other growths: Examples include: liver cancer; bile duct cancer; liver adenoma.
  • Other causes of liver disease: long-term alcohol use; fat accumulation in the liver (NAFLD; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease); obesity; some prescription or over-the-counter medications; some herbal compounds.

Last updated on September 11th, 2023 at 04:08 pm

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