Liver Inflammation Causes

Liver Inflammation, Hepatitis And Cirrhosis

Liver inflammation is a term for a liver disorder that is also known as hepatitis. The word hepatitis is derived from Greek and it literally means inflamed liver. The terms liver inflammation and hepatitis are used interchangeably in this article.

Liver inflammation occurs when some kind of liver disease or disorder destroys liver cells, or because of the presence of inflammatory substances in the liver. Liver inflammation is dangerous because it can eventually produce scar tissue. This scarring process is known as cirrhosis, and if it is not slowed or stopped, cirrhosis can eventually lead to liver failure. When your liver fails, there's only one way you can continue to live: a liver transplant.

Viral infections are among the most common causes of liver inflammation. Many such viral infections are contagious. The viruses that cause hepatitis are given alphabetical names like hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. These are often shortened to their abbreviations: HAV, HBV, HCV, etc. Hepatitis viruses with designations from A to G have been identified.

Alcoholic hepatitis is another common form of liver inflammation. Alcohol is toxic to liver cells, and regular consumption of even moderate amounts can produce liver damage over a relatively short period. Recent studies have demonstrated that someone who drinks 150 g of alcohol for five years has a 90 percent chance of suffering liver damage. After ten years there's a 35 percent chance of chronic alcoholic hepatitis. A significant number of cases these will continue to life-threatening cirrhosis. Alcoholic-induced liver problems are three times as common than a hepatitis C infection. Anyone who has liver inflammation should avoid all types of alcoholic beverages.

Overuse of medications, drugs and chemicals can also cause liver inflammation. The drugs that lead this list include carbon-tetrachloride, amethopterin, tetracycline, acetaminophen, fenoprofen, and others. The amount of damage these substances can do varies according to the amount consumed and the length they are used. Long-term use can result in chronic hepatitis or even cirrhosis. Recreational, illegal drugs can be especially dangerous. In addition, those who share needles when using intravenous drugs also risk viral hepatitis infections.

Talk to your doctor before taking drugs of any kind - even those you assume are safe because they're available over-the-counter. Combinations of certain seemingly harmless drugs, medications and supplements can cause liver inflammation. Even certain vitamins, when used in combination, can result in liver problems.

Liver conditions like hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease are causes of liver inflammation too. Plus, there are diseases like mononucleosis and malaria that can cause serious liver damage.

One of the least-suspected sources of liver inflammation is obesity. Anyone who is overweight has an increased risk of developing fat deposits on their liver. This condition is known as fatty liver disease, and it is another cause of liver inflammation.

Liver inflammation can trigger pain in a variety of ways. Tenderness in the upper abdominal area on the right side is one of the first symptoms. There might also be joint and muscular soreness. The degree of pain depends on the underlying problem and how much it has progressed. Other symptoms are likely to appear as the root cause grows worse. These could include loss of appetite and fatigue. One of the classic symptoms of liver trouble is a condition called jaundice, in which the whites of the eyes and the color of the skin begin to look yellow.

Liver inflammation that lasts less than six months is described as acute. If it lasts more than six months, it is described as chronic.

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