The liver is an organ in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, just under the ribcage. Its basic functions include breaking down fats, filtering harmful substances from the blood and producing cholesterol. Many different infections, substances and conditions can cause damage to the liver. Some damage is preventable, while other damage is unavoidable. Depending on the cause, damage to the liver may be temporary or permanent.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation in the tissue of the liver. There are several forms of hepatitis, such as a viral infection or from alcohol use, and they can be acute or chronic infections. Symptoms of hepatitis include pain in the abdomen, jaundice, darkened urine and flu-like symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Diet Medications and Supplements
Some diet medications, including prescription and over-the-counter options, can cause liver damage. Out of the 40 million individuals taking Orlistat between 1999 and 2009, 13 experienced severe liver damage, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary herbal supplements containing kava may also cause severe liver damage. The product may also help treat stress, anxiety and insomnia, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a scarring in the liver. The scaring occurs due to repeat damage in the liver and causes more damage when forming scar tissue. The functioning of the liver decreases as the scarring continues to increase. Substances such as alcohol use, infection and cystic fibrosis can lead to cirrhosis. Symptoms of the condition include increased bleeding and bruising, decreased appetite, fatigue, weight loss and fluid in the abdomen, according to MayoClinic.com.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure can lead to liver damage. As the heart fails, blood begins to back up into a large vein in the body, called the inferior vena cava. The veins in the liver send blood back to the heart through the inferior vena cava. The increased amount of blood in the veins causes increased blood pressure inside the veins and inside the liver itself. After the increased pressure, the liver swells with blood and has difficulty functioning correctly. This condition, called congestive hepatomegaly, causes symptoms such as jaundice, fluid in the abdomen and cirrhosis, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
Cancer
Liver cancer is a condition where cancerous cells develop in the organ. Other cancers can develop in other areas in the body and spread to the liver. Many individuals do not have symptoms of the condition until and advanced form of the cancer and severe damage to the liver. Symptoms that can occur include pain in the upper abdomen, abdominal swelling, decreased appetite and weight loss, according to MayoClinic.com.
