The liver is a football-sized organ that sits on the right side of the stomach. It is responsible for making protein and breaking down sugars in the body for energy. It makes certain hormones such as thrombopoietin (needed to make platelets) and breakdowns certain toxic substances such as alcohol. Sometimes, immune cells can attack the liver and lead to certain diseases.
Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis is a medical problem in which the immune system destroys the liver. Infections such as acute hepatitis A or B, measles and the Epstein Barr virus can all trigger autoimmune hepatitis. Sometimes excess use of acetaminophen and alterations in certain genes in the body can predispose people to autoimmune hepatitis, says the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis include fatigue, anemia, yellowing of the skin, an enlarged liver and itching. Other autoimmune hepatitis symptoms include strange-looking blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas), nausea, vomiting, confusion and scarring of the liver. Often, people suffering with this disease also suffer from another autoimmune disease such as diabetes or Sjogren's syndrome, a condition of dry eyes and dry mouth.
The Mayo Clinic says people with autoimmune hepatitis will be treated with prednisone, a corticosteroid medication that works to stop the immune system from working. Its side effects include weight gain, high eye pressure (glaucoma), infections and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Azathioprine is another immunosupressant medication that can be used. Nausea and infections are its side effects.
Cyclosporine may be prescribed if prednisone or azathioprine do not work. A liver transplant is indicated if cyclosporine is ineffective.
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Primary biliary cirrhosis refers to an autoimmune disease in which the liver's bile ducts are destroyed. The liver makes bile, a green fluid secreted out into the bile ducts and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is then secreted into the small intestine to help digest fat.
The Mayo Clinic says that primary biliary cirrhosis symptoms include fatigue, itching and dry eyes, and a dry mouth (sicca syndrome). As the disease progresses, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), darkened skin, swollen feet (edema), or stomach (ascites) and cholesterol growths on the skin (xanthomas) can form. Also, greasy and foul-smelling stools are characteristic of primary biliary cirrhosis.
Treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis includes taking such drugs as ursodeoxycholic acid or methotrexate to manage the disease. Sometimes, rifampin and colestipol can manage its symptoms. A liver transplant is necessary if all else fails.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is another immune disease in which the bile ducts are blocked and damaged. Here, blockage occurs when the bile ducts become inflamed and eventually scar. The scarring blocks bile from being released out of the liver. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse says that this disease is more common in women than men.
Symptoms include fatigue, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, a fever and chills.
Treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis involves managing its symptoms because there is no cure for it. Antibiotics, anti-itch drugs and vitamins can be used. Sometimes, a procedure can be performed to unblock the obstructed bile duct. Otherwise, a liver transplant is necessary.
