Liver Disease Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Stages, and Treatments Topic Guide

Cirrhosis of the liver is progressive and chronic scarring of the liver, caused by hepatitis infection, alcoholism, or other factors. Learn about symptoms and life expectancy.

Fatty liver disease (NASH, NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic related steatohepatitis) is a disease where by there is an increased accumulation of fat in the liver. This fat accumulation can lead to cirrhosis and possibly liver cancer. Fatty liver disease is caused by a diet high in fat and calories, association with other diseases and conditions, and certain medications. Treatment for fatty liver disease depends on the cause of fat accumulation in the liver.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH, iron overload) is a genetic disorder in which excess iron is retained in the body. Hemochromatosis may affect several organs in the body including the skin, joints, liver, pancreas, thyroid, testicles, and heart. As a result of the excess build up of iron in organs, conditions and diseases can result from the excess iron, for example, diabetes, cirrhosis, heart failure, and brown skin, among others. Treatment for hemochromatosis is generally phlebotomy and dietary changes.

Hepatitis C (HCV, Hep C) is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection of the HCV virus, typically spread through blood contact. Learn about symptoms, prevention, and treatment.

Inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is referred to as hepatitis C. There are a variety of treatments available for hepatitis C, depending on the type and severity of infection to include: antiviral medications, interferon's, ribavarin drugs, protease inhibitors. Additional treatment includes lifestyle changes and home care, surgery, and liver transplant. There is no vaccination for hepatitis C.

Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle. Hiccups can be caused by a variety of things such as eating or drinking too fast, diseases or conditions, medications, noxious fumes, or anxiety and stress. Medical care is rarely needed to resolve hiccups. There are a variety of home remedies that people recommend to resolve hiccups.

Most people with nonalcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease have no symptoms. Symptoms in early stages of alcoholic fatty liver disease may include tiredness or aches in the upper right side of the abdomen. Alcoholic fatty liver disease may progress to more severe forms including alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver.

Jaundice is a yellow staining of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by abnormally high blood levels of the bile pigment bilirubin. Examples of the causes of jaundice include; malaria, sickle cell disease, drugs, toxins, newborn jaundice, gallstones, pancreatitis, and autoimmune disorders. Some of the common symptoms of jaundice include yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, light colored stools, dark urine, and itching of the skin. Treatment for jaundice depends on the cause.

Liver biopsy involves the removal of a small piece of tissue from the liver. Reasons for liver biopsy is to diagnose disease, monitor disease, and monitor the effectiveness of therapy. Risk of liver biopsy include hematoma, bleeding, striking another organ, and tumor tracking. Types of liver biopsy include percutaneous, transjugular, and intraoperative liver biopsy.

Liver blood tests are used to check the levels and function of liver enzymes in the blood called AST and ALT or aminotransferases in the blood. Symptoms of elevated or high liver enzymes in the blood include fever, abdominal pain, poor appetite, itching, and nausea. Normal levels of liver enzymes in blood are caused by liver diseases caused by drugs, for example, acetaminophen (Tylenol), pain medications, and statins. Less common causes of abnormal levels of ALT or AST levels in the blood are alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases (NASH), hepatitis, and alcoholism. Normal levels of ALT ranges from about 7-56 units/liter, and 10-40 units/liters for AST. Elevated (high) and low liver enzymes elevated levels of AST and ALT may signify the level of liver damage the person has. A blood sample is sent to the laboratory for measurement. Usually, you doctor will have the results interpreted within a few hours to days. Liver blood tests are used to check normal, elevated (high), and low blood levels of liver enzymes (AST and ALT or aminotransferases). Symptoms of elevated levels of liver enzymes are fever, abdominal pain, poor appetite, and nausea. Drugs, for example, acetaminophen (Tylenol), pain drugs, and statins caused high levels of liver enzymes. Less common causes are NASH, hepatitis, and alcoholism.

Liver cancer is hard to diagnose as symptoms and signs are vague and nonspecific. Symptoms and signs may include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, or appetite loss. Treatment may incorporate surgery, liver transplantation, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

Liver disease is a serious problem; the liver is one of the most-frequently transplanted organ in the United States.

Newborn jaundice causes yellowing of the eyes and skin. The newborn may also have a fever, ill appearance, and poor feeding. Learn about causes and treatment of newborn jaundice.

Nosebleeds, medical term epistaxis, can be caused by an object stuck inside of the nose; infection of the sinuses or upper respiratory tract; hay fever; dry, hot, or cold weather; blowing the nose too forcefully; and certain medications. Serious reasons for nose bleeding include cocaine use; alcohol abuse; liver disease; high blood pressure; and nasal tumors. Usually, people can stop nose bleeding quickly at home. More serious nosebleed causes may need medical treatment.

Thrombocytopenia or low blood platelets, is caused by impaired production of platelets, increased destruction or consumption of platelets, or splenic sequestration of platelets. These three categories are associated with specific diseases and conditions. The treatment of thrombocytopenia depends on the cause.