Table of Contents
Overview
The liver is an essential organ for digesting food and getting rid of the toxic substances. Liver disease can be inherited.
Liver problems can be caused by numerous factors that damage the liver, including viruses, alcohol use and obesity.
Over time, liver damage can lead to scarring (cirrhosis) and liver failure, a life-threatening condition. However early treatment can give the liver time to heal.
In UK, more than 40 people die daily with liver disease and this number is increasing. Liver disease is the third leading cause of premature deaths and the biggest killer in people between 35-49 years of age. Three quarters of the people are diagnosed with liver disease at a late stage, when it is too late for lifestyle changes or treatment. Ninety percent of liver disease is preventable.
Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms due to liver diseases are not always noticeable, those that are include:
- skin and eyes discoloured yellow (jaundice)
- abdominal pain and swelling
- swollen legs and ankles
- itchy skin
- dark urine
- pale stools
- feeling weak and tired all the time
- loss of sex drive
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite, leading to body weight loss
- bruising easily
Fatty liver disease and hepatitis are good at disguising the warning signs and are thus silent killers.
Causes
Liver diseases can be caused by numerous problems:
- infections due to viruses and parasites
- body’s own immune system attacking the liver
- genetic inheritance
- cancer
- drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- fat deposits around the liver
- certain medicines, including herbal
Diagnosis
See your General Practioner, (GP) if your signs and symptoms continue or get worse, particularly severe abdominal pain. The doctor will check your medical history, examine you and have the necessary tests carried out to confirm the problem.
Risk factors
Risk factors giving rise to liver disease include:
- drinking excessive amount of alcohol
- obesity (high body weight)
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
- tattoos or body piercings
- injecting drugs using shared needles
- blood transfusion (prior to 1992)
- body contact and mixing with other people’s blood or body fluids
- unprotected sex
- exposure to certain chemicals or toxins
- family history
Complications
Complications of liver disease vary, depending on the cause. If left untreated, liver disease can lead to liver failure, which can be life-threatening.
Patients with severe liver disease may be vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. For further details see section on COVID-19 and vaccination.
Prevention
- drink alcohol in moderation
- avoid risky behaviour
- avoid body contact with other people’s blood or body fluid
- prevent exposure to chemicals
- wash hands regularly, especially before preparing food and eating
- have hepatitis vaccines
- maintain healthy body weight
Further Reading
Liver Disease
Written by BK Date created/updated 23.07.22
Reviewed by PJ Date Reviewed 30.07.22
