The countless functions of the liver include digestion of proteins and fats, purification of the blood via removal of toxic wastes, control of glucose levels in the body and the production of proteins needed for blood coagulation. All diseases that injure or inflame liver cells impede its functions. A minor decline in the functions of the liver is difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of a dysfunctional liver are usually produced when the underlying disease has already progressed.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver, or the deposition of excess fat in liver cells, becomes serious when it causes liver inflammation and starts damaging the liver. Individuals suffering from obesity, diabetes or high levels of triglycerides are at a risk for fatty liver disease. In fact, obesity is often the root cause for insulin resistance and high triglyceride levels.
Alcoholism
Excessive alcohol consumption can cause an inflamed fatty liver. When the complication furthers, cirrhosis or liver scarring may result. In cirrhosis, liver cells are replaced by fibrous tissue and the flow of blood in the liver is reduced. An increase in the portal blood pressure may even cause internal bleeding and death. According to the American Liver Foundation, excessive alcohol intake is the most common cause of cirrhosis, and about 40 percent of all deaths caused by cirrhosis can be linked to alcoholism.
Viral Infection
Infection of the liver with hepatitis A, B or C causes inflammation of the liver. When left untreated, these diseases can lead to liver cirrhosis. Among these viral infections, hepatitis C is a major cause of cirrhosis.
Genetic Reasons
Certain hereditary diseases cause the accumulation of metals in the body. For example, Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder, leads to chronic liver disease because of excessive buildup of copper in the body, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Similarly, excessive iron in the liver due to hereditary hemochromatosis may cause cirrhosis. Moreover, certain populations may be at a higher risk for liver disease. A study published in Pediatrics in 2006 showed that fatty liver is more prevalent in Hispanic-American children than in non-Hispanic children.
Other Causes
Because many drugs are processed in the liver, an overdose of drugs, including many over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, and antibiotics can injure the liver. Autoimmune disorders, in which the body's own immune system inflames the liver, can also cause liver dysfunction.
References
- "Pediatrics;" Prevalence of Fatty Liver in Children and Adolescents; J Schwimmer, et al.; 2006
- American Liver Foundation: Cirrhosis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Wilson Disease
