Liver Disease

Liver disease can refer to a wide range of diseases, both benign and malignant, that cause liver dysfunction. Viral diseases such as hepatitis; inherited disorders; liver cancer; and liver impairment caused by exposure to certain toxins, alcohol abuse or the use of certain drugs all fall under the category of liver disease. Common signs of these conditions include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), abdominal pain and abnormal findings on a liver function test. Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are all forms of liver disease, as is cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, Epstein Barr virus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Wilson’s disease, Gilbert’s disease, Budd Chiari syndrome and hemochromatosis. Primary cancers of the liver include hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma and others. Treatments for liver disease depend upon the specific disorder at work but may include medications, dietary modifications, paracentesis and surgery, with liver transplantation for the most severely affected patients who meet certain strict requirements.