 The liver is an organ about the size of a football that sits

just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen.

 The liver is essential for digesting food and ridding your

body of toxic substances. It helps in fighting infections and
cleans your blood. It also stores energy for when your body
needs it.
• Liver disease: Liver disease refers to any
disorder of the liver.
• Liver disease includes the following
conditions:
• Cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver
• Inflammation (hepatitis) from infectious
(hepatitis B, hepatitis C) or non-infectious
causes (chemical or autoimmune hepatitis)
• Tumors, benign and malignant (liver cancer)
• Metabolic disorders
Liver disease has many causes:
1) Infection:
Parasites and viruses can infect the liver, causing inflammation
that reduces liver function. The viruses that cause liver damage
can be spread through blood, 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

2) Immune system abnormality:

Diseases in which your immune system attacks certain parts of
your body (autoimmune) can affect your liver.
3) 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.

4) Cancer and other growths

Examples include:
• Liver cancer
• Bile duct cancer
• Liver adenoma

5) Other:
Additional, common causes of liver disease include:
• Chronic alcohol abuse
• Fat accumulating in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)
 Most types of liver disease don't cause any symptoms in the
early stages.
 Once you start to get symptoms of liver disease, your liver is
already damaged and scarred. This is known as ”cirrhosis”
which is a life-threatening condition.
• Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Swelling in the legs and ankles
• Itchy skin
• Dark urine color
• Chronic fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Tendency to bruise easily
 Cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure are serious conditions that
can threaten your life. Once you have reached these stages of liver
disease, your treatment options may be very limited.
 That’s why it’s important to catch liver disease early, in the
inflammation and fibrosis stages. If you are treated successfully at
these stages, your liver may have a chance to heal itself and
recover.
To prevent liver disease:

1. Get vaccinated.
2. Don’t Drink alcohols
3. Avoid contact with other people's blood and body fluids.
4. Take care with aerosol sprays: Make sure the room is
ventilated, and wear a mask when spraying insecticides,
fungicides, paint and other toxic chemicals.
5. Protect your skin: When using insecticides and other toxic
chemicals, wear gloves, long sleeves, a hat and a mask.
6. Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity can cause nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease.
• Some people with liver disease must eat a special
diet. This diet helps the liver function and protects
it from working too hard.
• Proteins normally help the body repair tissue.
They also prevent fatty buildup and damage to the
liver cells.
• In people with badly damaged livers, proteins are
not properly processed. Waste products may build
up and affect the brain.
• Cutting down the amount of protein you eat. This will
help limit the buildup of toxic waste products.
• Increasing your intake of carbohydrates to be in
proportion with the amount of protein you eat.
• Taking vitamins and medicines prescribed by your
health care provider for low blood count, nerve
problems, or nutritional problems from liver disease.
• Limiting your salt intake. Salt in the diet may worsen
fluid buildup and swelling in the liver.
• What to avoid: Don’t eat foods high in fat, sugar and salt.
Stay away from a lot of fried foods including fast food
restaurant meals. Raw or undercooked shellfish such as
oysters and clams are a definite no-no.
• Eat a balanced diet: Select foods from all food groups:
Grains, fruits, vegetables, meat and beans, milk, and oil.
• Eat food with fiber: Fiber helps your liver work at an
optimal level. Fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice
and cereals can take care of your body’s fiber needs.
• Drink lots of water: It prevents dehydration and it helps
your liver to function better.