Liver Disorders

Liver disorders affect over 1.5 billion people globally, stemming from viruses (hepatitis A-E), alcohol abuse, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune issues, or toxins. Common types include viral hepatitis, causing acute inflammation; alcoholic liver disease progressing from steatosis to cirrhosis; NAFLD linked to obesity and diabetes; primary biliary cholangitis scarring the bile ducts; and hepatocellular carcinoma from chronic damage.

Early stages often lack symptoms, but progression reveals fatigue, nausea, right upper quadrant pain, itchy skin, and spider angiomas. Advanced signs feature jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), ascites (abdominal swelling), edema in legs, easy bruising, dark urine, pale stools, and hepatic encephalopathy with confusion.

Diagnosis involves blood tests (ALT/AST elevation, bilirubin), ultrasound, CT/MRI, elastography for fibrosis, and biopsy for confirmation. Management targets causes: antivirals for hepatitis, abstinence for alcohol-related disease, lifestyle changes for NAFLD, immunosuppressants for autoimmune types, and transplant for end-stage failure. Prevention emphasizes vaccination, moderation in alcohol, healthy weight, and avoiding hepatotoxins. Regular screening in at-risk groups improves outcomes, as cirrhosis reversal is possible in early fibrosis.