Team members

Names / Roles:

[Isa Ong] (Leader/typer)
[Isabel Lim] (Editor)
[Gladys Lum] (Researcher)
[Ng Hui Xin] (Researcher)
[Merylene Lim] (Photo Insertor)

Meaning / Definition

The liver is a large organ in the upper right abdomen that aids in digestion and removes waste products from the blood.
Liver Disease (hepatic disease) is a type of damage or disorder to the liver.
The liver is the largest internal organ and is responsible for some 500 bodily function. It processes almost every time we ingest, breathe, or absorb through the skin. It plays an important role in digestion and metabolism regulation, production, storage, and release of sugar, fats, and cholesterol.

Causes and Effects

Causes

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Long term alcohol consumption
Cirrhosis
Hemochromatosis (an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron)
Malnutrition

Effects

Nausea
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Diarrhea

More serious effects

Jaundice
Bleeding easily
Swollen abdomen
Mental disorientation or confusion (known as hepatic encephalopathy)
Sleepiness
Coma

Symptoms

Appetite loss
Dark urine colour
Feel like vomiting or vomiting
Have bruises easily
Skin and eyes colour appear to be yellowish
Pale stool colour or bloody or tar-coloured stool
Chronic fatigue
Swelling in legs and ankles
Abdominal pain and swelling

Prevention and Treatment

-Avoid excess alcohol body piercings or tattoos obtained in non-hygience, if not illegal, conditions poses and treat.

-Get a hepatitis vaccine or an immunoglobulin shot to prevent hepatitis A or B.

-Don't share any personal toiletry items

-Practice proper hygiene

-Eat a proper diet from all of the food groups

Depending upon what form of liver disease you may have and what stage you’re in, your doctor may recommend treatment with drugs, special diets, lifestyle changes or, in cases of severe advanced liver disease, a liver transplant. In our Liver Disease section, we provide information on a variety of individual forms of liver disease, including some treatment options. The following provides some additional information on available treatments.

Link to Other Illnesses or Diseases

Infection

Parasites and viruses can infect the liver, causing inflammation and that reduces liver function. The viruses that cause liver damage can be spread through blood or semen, contaminated food or water, or close contact with a person who is infected. The most common types of liver infection are hepatitis viruses, including:

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C

Immune system abnormality

Diseases in which your immune system attacks certain parts of your body (autoimmune) can affect your liver. Examples of autoimmune liver diseases include:

Autoimmune hepatitis
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Genetics

An abnormal gene inherited from one or both of your parents can cause various substances to build up in your liver, resulting in liver damage. Genetic liver diseases include: