Liver diseases: The main diseases of the liver
The liver It can be a source of all kinds of conditions and diseases that can seriously affect our health and well-being. In fact, we must not forget something fundamental: the liver is one of the most important organs of our body, since it participates in an infinity of basic functions.
Most of them can appear by not eating a rich and healthy diet or also due to excessive intake of alcoholic beverages. It can also appear by simply the appearance of all types of viral processes or some metabolic dysfunctions such as hemochromatosis.
One way or another, it is important to know in great detail the main liver diseases that exist so that we know the symptoms and the treatment that can be given as soon as possible. Although for this, we will have to consult our doctor beforehand:
Liver disease or cirrhosis
This liver disease is one of the most common in developed countries, medically known by the name of hepatic cirrhosis. Around thirty thousand people a year die from this condition and that is why it is very important to stop it when the first symptoms appear.
This is characterized by the fact that the liver is unable to process large amounts of alcohol causing a chemical imbalance within the cavities of this organ.
This later results in the cells of the same being destroyed little by little. This whole process can be divided into three clearly distinct phases:
- Extremely fatty liver. One of the first symptoms of this disease is the appearance of a fatty liver. If you want to reverse, the best thing to do is eliminate any alcohol consumption.
- Short alcoholic hepatitis. Here an increase in transaminases occurs. You can also prevent this situation with abstinence from any alcoholic beverage.
- Severe cirrhosis. All those people who consume between 150 and 200 grams daily for at least a decade, it is very likely that they may suffer cirrhosis. This can cause them even liver cancer and even death.
Viral liver disease
The virus in the liver they can also be presented as very different. That is why each letter has been assigned to each of these viral diseases:
- Hepatitis A. This is usually transmitted from people who are completely healthy and come into direct contact with others infected by this virus. This disease is linked to the lack of personal hygiene, poor sanitation or the ingestion of food in poor condition.
- Hepatitis B. Needless to say, hepatitis B is an infection that carries a very high risk of death or even the appearance of liver cancer. According to WHO, this disease is considered one of the most serious worldwide. And it usually appears among the populations of East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. It is usually transmitted from mothers to children during the gestation period or through contact between both during the first years of life.
- Hepatitis C. This type of hepatitis is also usually taken through food spoiled or through blood contact between two people. It can also be caused by the poisoning of infected needles or even by having sex.
- Hepatitis D. Like the previous one, this is a viral process that can also appear by the contact of blood fluids or by sexual transmission. Among its most common symptoms are high fever, skin and eyes and urine of too dark a tone.
Hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease
Apart from the two diseases described above, there is another one that is entirely hereditary and therefore only transmitted from parents to children. A clear example of this is what is called hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) and is characterized mainly by an increase in the absorption of iron throughout the entire intestine. This can then lead to serious cases of cirrhosis, heart disease or diabetes.
For its part, the Wilson's disease It is characterized by an excessive copper accumulation in the liver. This irremediably causes a malfunction in it. And among its clearest symptoms include respiratory insufficiency or the appearance of other liver diseases.
On the other hand, there are also other liver diseases -as well as certain disorders and pathologies- that also stand out for being common, although perhaps less known than the previous ones. You can know more about them below:
- Hepatomegaly: enlarged liver
- Inflamed liver
- Liver pain
