What Causes Liver Disease?

Types Of Liver Disease

There are actually many types of liver disease because the term "liver disease" can describe dozens of different disorders, conditions and malfunctions. Liver disease can strike in many different forms, as detailed below.

Chronic liver disease, which is an advanced liver disease, claims more than 25,000 lives annually in the United States alone. Many of these deaths are due to cirrhosis, a liver disease often caused by drinking too much alcohol. Another serious form of liver disease, Hepatitis C, claims as many as 20,000 lives annually in the U.S. It's estimated that approximately 3.5 million U.S. citizens have been infected with the hepatitis C virus.

Here are the major types of liver disease.

Cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a chronic inflammation of the liver. It is known commonly as "cirrhosis of the liver," but is simply called cirrhosis by doctors. Cirrhosis usually results from overuse of alcohol, and can result in liver failure and even death.

Hepatitis. Hepatitis is also a form of liver inflammation, but it's caused by a viral infection, parasitic attack, impure blood transfusion, or toxins that are ingested or introduced into the body. Like cirrhosis, hepatitis is an extremely serious disease that can lead to death from liver failure. Hepatitis is a major health threat, especially if it reaches a chronic stage.

Fatty Liver Disease. Also known as fatty liver syndrome. This disease is now the number liver ailment in the U.S. and Canada, having recently passed cirrhosis (see below). It's believed that approximately ten percent of the residents of the United States and Canada has fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease occurs when fat droplets begin building up on the liver. This can compromise liver function. Fatty liver disease is usually caused by poor diet and alcohol abuse.

Liver Cancer. The liver is susceptible to cancer that has begun elsewhere in the body (very often in the lungs), or liver cancer can begin in the cells of the liver itself. It's estimated that there are about half a million new cases of new liver cancer new cases in the world annually.

Enlarged Liver. This condition is known as hepatomegaly or simply as an enlarged liver. An enlarged liver by itself isn't life threatening, but it's a sign of some other liver-related problem. Anyone with an enlarged lived should seek prompt medical attention.

Liver Cysts. A liver cyst is a sac-like body that grows on the liver, usually caused by liver cells that die or degenerate. Liver cysts become relatively common with advancing age, but poor nutrition and lack of exercise can also be a factor.

There are many other types of liver disease that are covered in depth on other pages of this website.

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