What is Liver Disease?
Your liver can develop a number of diseases that compromise its primary functions, including protein production, blood clotting, energy production, and iron metabolism. Some of the more common liver diseases include hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis.
What is Fatty Liver Disease?
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is diagnosed when you have a buildup of extra fat in liver cells that’s not caused by alcohol. In severe cases, the liver can swell as a result and suffer damage.
In its earliest stages, fatty liver disease may not cause symptoms. At first, you may just have fatigue and discomfort in the upper right side of your abdominal area.
The following conditions increase your risk of developing fatty liver disease:
- High cholesterol or high triglycerides
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity, particularly when fat is concentrated around the abdomen
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Type 2 diabetes
- Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
The most serious complication of fatty liver disease is cirrhosis.
What is Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis develops due to untreated liver disease. Liver disease is infinitely treatable, when detected and addressed early. But, if liver disease goes untreated, hard scar tissue replaces the healthy tissue -- causing cirrhosis.
The most common causes of cirrhosis include:
- Hepatitis B and C
- Alcohol use disorder
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progression of fatty liver disease
Untreated cirrhosis can lead to liver failure and increase your risk of developing liver cancer.
Should I Be Concerned About Hepatitis B and C?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Some of the most common forms of hepatitis are hepatitis B, and C. Hepatitis B is transferred through contact with bodily fluids, such as blood or semen, that contain the virus.
Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected fluids — usually through sexual intercourse or when sharing needles during intravenous drug use.
What Symptoms Develop Due to Liver Disease and Cirrhosis?
In its earliest stages, liver disease has the potential to cause symptoms such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Bruising or bleeding easily
- Swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles
- Nausea
- Yellow discoloration of your skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Spidery blood vessels on your skin
As liver disease worsens, your organs may fail and toxins build up in your bloodstream. If these toxins reach your brain, you may experience confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness.
People with advanced liver disease can also develop high blood pressure in the portal vein, which causes fluids to build up in your abdomen (ascites) and creates enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus called esophageal varices.
How is Liver Disease Treated?
The doctors can treat hepatitis B and C with antiviral drugs or virus-fighting injections. They may also give you vaccines against other forms of hepatitis.
The team uses Fibroscan to help assess if any degree of scarring is present in your liver due to disease. This noninvasive ultrasound technology provides information that informs your treatment plan.
If you’ve experienced cirrhosis of the liver, damage is irreversible. The doctors at Gotham Gastroenterology can help you prevent further damage, however, with interventions such as:
- Treatment for alcohol dependency
- Medications to limit or slow the progression of cirrhosis
- Vaccinations for hepatitis B and C
The doctors may help you improve your liver condition with a healthy balanced diet and weight loss, too. Any underlying conditions contributing to your liver damage, such as viral hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and hemochromatosis, will be addressed.
If you have symptoms that suggest liver disease, consult the team at Gotham Gastroenterology. Call for an appointment or schedule using this website.
