Liver Conditions

Liver conditions that can compromise liver function number in the dozens. Some liver conditions are relatively minor but others, like cirrhosis or liver cancer, can be fatal.

The liver is a vital organ that performs several functions within the body. The liver is strong and resilient and it can bounce back from many liver conditions, disorders and diseases. It will continue to work even when a person has medical conditions that affect the liver. It has the ability to regenerate itself even after part has been removed. No other organ can do that, and its ability to regenerate also makes "living donor" liver transplants possible.

Liver conditions fall into three main categories.

• Liver cell damage
• The accumulation of toxins in the liver
• Problems with the secretion and/or production of bile

Different types of liver conditions normally cause one of the problems listed above depending on what is wrong. Knowing how the condition affects the liver makes it possible for doctors to treat the condition. Here are some of the most common types of liver problems and how they can affect you.

Liver Cancer This is very serious and in many cases, fatal. Liver cancer can start in the liver or spread to the liver from surrounding organs.

Fatty Liver Disease Also known as fatty liver syndrome. Droplets of fat start to accumulate within or on the liver causing it to not function correctly.

Enlarged Liver This occurs when the liver grows larger than it should. Sometimes it’s called hepatomegaly and there are seldom any symptoms at first. If the liver becomes too large there can be pain in the abdomen or a person may feel stuffed even when they haven’t eaten recently. This is normally a sign that another medical condition may exist.

Hepatitis Hepatitis is a serious condition that occurs when the liver is inflamed. The three most common types types of this condition are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. When the body’s immune system attacks the liver and causes inflammation it’s called autoimmune hepatitis.

Cirrhosis This is a serious liver condition that is normally caused from consuming too much alcohol although, it can also result from other problems that affect the liver. Known commonly as cirrhosis of the liver, although the use of the words "of the liver" is redundant.

Liver Cysts These are referred to as “sac-like formations” that grow in the liver. Liver cysts are normally benign and don’t cause any type of life threatening problems. The patient usually won’t have any symptoms and they very seldom require treatment.

Wilson Disease This is a genetic defect in which abnormal amounts of copper will accumulate within the body. Symptoms include rings around the eyes that are a copper color and erratic muscular movements. See our article on Wilson's disease.

PBC PBC is Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and it occurs when there is a slow but progressive destruction in the liver that causes the loss of bile ducts. Eventually, liver failure or cirrhosis can occur.

Hemochromatosis This is simply a disease that causes extra iron to form and build up in the liver.

PSC PSC is Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and it’s caused when the bile ducts become inflamed and scarred. This can occur in the liver or on the outside of the liver. When the ducts become blocked the liver cells become damaged causing cirrhosis and liver failure.

If you experience symptoms of these liver problems, or have been diagnosed with any of these liver problems your health care provider will talk to you about all of your options and the treatment process that you'll need to follow. 

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