The liver is made of:

• Hepatocytes : Main functional liver cells
• Bile Ducts : Transport bile for fat digestion
• Blood Vessels : Hepatic artery (oxygenated blood) and portal vein (nutrient-rich blood)
• Kupffer Cells : Immune cells filtering blood
• Stellate Cells : Involved in storage and fibrosis

Causes vary and include:

• Viral Infections : Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E (B and C can be chronic)
• Alcohol Abuse : Leading to fatty liver, hepatitis, or cirrhosis
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD/MASLD) : Fat accumulation, often linked to obesity/diabetes, can progress to NASH (inflammation)
• Autoimmune Conditions : Immune system attacks liver cells or bile ducts
• Genetic Disorders : Hemochromatosis (iron overload), Wilson's Disease (copper overload), Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
• Medications and Toxins : Drug-induced liver injury or exposure to environmental toxins
• Cancer : Primary liver cancer or metastatic cancer
• Bile Duct Obstruction : Blockage by gallstones, tumors, or strictures

Often appear late when damage is significant:

• Jaundice : Yellow skin/eyes
• Fatigue and Weakness
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain and Swelling (ascites)
• Dark Urine & Pale Stools
• Itchy Skin (Pruritus)
• Easy Bruising or Bleeding
• Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss
• Confusion or Mental Changes (Hepatic Encephalopathy)

Involves a combination of:

• Medical History and Physical Examination
• Blood Tests : Liver Function Tests (LFTs), viral hepatitis serology, autoimmune markers, genetic tests
• Imaging Tests : Ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI/MRCP, Elastography (FibroScan)
• Liver Biopsy : Definitive diagnosis of cause and severity

Depends on the specific cause and stage:

• Lifestyle Modifications : Alcohol abstinence, weight loss, healthy diet for NAFLD/MASLD
• Medications : Antivirals (for hepatitis), immunosuppressants (for autoimmune), chelating agents (for genetic disorders), diuretics (for fluid retention), drugs for encephalopathy
• Procedures and Interventions : Endoscopic procedures (e.g., ERCP for bile ducts), paracentesis (fluid removal), TIPS (for portal hypertension), tumorablation/embolization
• Liver Transplant : For end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure

• Vaccination : For Hepatitis A and B
• Safe Practices : Avoid risky behaviors (sharing needles, unsafe sex)
• Moderate Alcohol Intake
• Healthy Lifestyle : Maintain healthy weight, balanced diet, regular exercise
• Careful Medication Use : Follow dosages, consult doctor for new medications/supplements
• Avoid Toxins
• Manage Underlying Conditions : Diabetes, high cholesterol

If untreated, can lead to severe complications:

• Cirrhosis : Irreversible scarring of the liver
• Liver Failure : Liver ceases to function
• Portal Hypertension : High blood pressure in liver's veins, causing esophageal varices (bleeding risk), ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy
• Liver Cancer  (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
• Kidney Failure  (Hepatorenal Syndrome)
• Increased Risk of Infections