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Liver Diseases & Conditions |
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The liver is a large organ that is part of the digestive system. The liver has many functions, including:
- It makes many important substances, including bile to help digest food and clotting factors that help stop bleeding.
- Controls the amounts of sugar, protein, and fat in the bloodstream.
- Stores important vitamins and minerals, including iron.
- Filters poisons from the blood.
- Breaks down (metabolizes) alcohol and many drugs.
Learn more about the liver and its functions.
Liver Diseases & Conditions
- Adult primary liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver. Having hepatitis or cirrhosis can affect the risk of developing adult primary liver cancer. Possible signs of adult primary liver cancer include a lump or pain on the right side.
- Cholestasis is a relatively rare syndrome that results when the flow of bile from the liver is impaired. Common symptoms are dark urine, pale stools, and itchy (pruritic) and yellowed (jaundiced) skin.
- Cirrhosis is a very serious condition in which scarring damages the liver. When a person has cirrhosis, scar tissue (fibrosis ) replaces healthy tissue and prevents the liver from working as it should. Cirrhosis can be deadly. But early treatment can help stop damage to the liver.
- Fatty Liver Disease, also known as Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) or Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), is inflammation of the liver caused by a buildup of fat in liver cells. NASH has similar features as alcohol-induced liver disease, but it occurs in people who do not abuse alcohol.
- Gallstones form when cholesterol and other things found in bile make stones. Most gallstones do not cause problems. But if they block a duct, they usually need treatment.
- Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A usually causes temporary liver inflammation, and most people recover without any long-term liver problems.
- Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Most adults who get hepatitis B have it for a short time and then get better. You can have hepatitis B and not know it. You may not have symptoms. If you do, they can make you feel like you have the flu. But as long as you have the virus, you can spread it to others.
- Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. In time, it can lead to permanent liver damage as well as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. Many people do not know that they have hepatitis C until they already have some liver damage.
- Hemochromotosis is a condition that develops when too much iron builds up in the body. Small amounts of iron are normally stored in the bone marrow, liver, kidneys, and heart, but excess iron will eventually damage these organs.
- Polycystic liver disease is an inherited disorder characterized by many cysts of various sizes scattered throughout the liver.
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