A condition that harms and impairs the functioning of the liver is considered as liver disease. Numerous disorders can impair liver function, including those brought on by viruses, genetics, autoimmune diseases, alcohol, bad eating habits, and responses to medication with severity ranging from mild abnormalities to severe chronic conditions. The organ performs an array of essential functions, including processing the food and transporting the nutrients. Some liver conditions are brought on by viruses, such as hepatitis. Others may be brought on by drug use or excessive alcohol consumption. A persistent injury or scar tissue in the organ can cause cirrhosis. Liver disease can be categorised by varying health disorders, all of which ultimately culminate into end-stage liver disease or liver failure.
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Causes
- Autoimmune Diseases Scarring and inflammation in the organ and bile duct can be caused by autoimmune conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and primary biliary cholangitis.
- Inherited Metabolic Disorders The liver damage can be caused by chronic conditions such as glycogen storage disease (GSD), Wilson disease, hemochromatosis, and Gaucher disease, which lead to increased levels of numerous toxic compounds in the blood.
- Biliary Stasis Conditions like biliary atresia and cystic fibrosis that are congenital (existing from birth) can cause bile to accumulate and harm the organ by blocking or slowing the passage of bile through your bile ducts. Gallstones and biliary stricture are examples of non-congenital causes.
- Alcohol-related Liver Damage Chronic liver disease and hepatitis can be caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol in a short frame of time. Cirrhosis is one of the results of long-term alcohol consumption and the paramount reason for liver failure that occurs in the late stages.
Symptoms
The following are some of the common liver infection symptoms:
- Jaundice
The presence of increased bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced by the red blood cell breakdown, that occurs due to the improper functioning of the liver.
- Fatigue
The liver functioning decreases and the ability of the liver to store and release glycogen cannot be maintained. This causes a decrease in glucose levels, which leads to fatigue.
- Abdominal pain and swelling
Generally, the swelling of the liver (inflammation), can probably lead to discomfort in the abdomen region.
- Nausea and vomiting
Problems in bile creation and release may lead to some gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, appetite loss and so on.
- Dark coloured urine
The increase of bilirubin in blood can be reflected by the darkening of urine and the deficit of bile secretion or may manifest as the whitening or the clay coloured stool.
- Itchy skin
Liver damage in advanced stages gives rise to high levels of bile salts in blood which in turn, instigates itching especially at the extremities of the body.
- Confusion and cognitive impairment
In an advanced stage of the disease, toxins normally filtered by the organ can accumulate in the bloodstream, leading to hepatic encephalopathy, which manifests as confusion, forgetfulness, and changes in behaviour.
Liver Disease Types
The disease is manifested in different phases or types. A few may be genetic in origin, or they might arise due to microorganisms, toxins such as alcohol, or even drugs.
Viral Hepatitis
A medical condition called viral hepatitis damages and inflames the liver. Swelling that occurs when bodily tissues are hurt or infected is called inflammation and can cause damage to various organs. Hepatitis includes many varying types of viruses, like hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. When the hepatitis virus stays in the body and your immune system is unable to eliminate it, you're diagnosed with chronic hepatitis. Complications due to chronic hepatitis include cancer, cirrhosis, and failure.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
The cause of fatty liver is the cluster of excess fat found around the organ, which occurs mostly in overweight or obese patients. High liver fat levels increase the hazard of serious health issues, particularly diabetes, BP ailment, and kidney disorders.
Alcohol-associated Liver Disease
Usually, it is developed in people, who consume alcohol for a long time as well with high intensity compared to others. And it is possible to have acute liver damage after drinking high quantities of alcohol more than usual at once.
Autoimmune Liver Disease
An autoimmune liver disease develops when the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies healthy, normal tissues as harmful invaders. Consequently, healthy liver cells are attacked by the immune system.
Drug-Induced Liver Disease
Chronic administration of some drugs can cause liver damage, leading to a condition called drug-induced liver disease. It occurs because the liver organ is the one that helps convert the body's chemicals for appropriate digestion, and overdosing on drugs, alcohol, and supplements can damage the liver's cells.
Is Homeopathic Treatment For Liver Disease Effective?
The principle of homeopathy believes that in addition to the influence of exogenous agents such as germs, viruses, etc., an individual's vulnerability to the disease's occurrence is primarily responsible for its development. Homeopathic treatment for liver disease is an alternative medical therapy that emphasises how a person responds to a unique environment. There is no harm that a patient will experience from homeopathic medications. Homeopathic medicine for liver effectively addresses viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and allergies. Homeopathic substances have applications in preventative and promotional healthcare in addition to their therapeutic applications.