The liver is known as the ‘chemical factory’ that removes toxins from the body. Often, liver disease symptoms may not appear until the severe stage. The main reasons behind liver damage are:
Excessive alcohol consumption: This is the most common cause of liver diseases. Long-term alcohol consumption causes inflammation in the liver cells (Alcoholic Hepatitis), which later leads to a condition called cirrhosis, which is irreversible scarring.
Fatty liver (NAFLD): This condition, which is also seen in non-alcoholics, is caused by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. Obesity, lack of exercise, consumption of junk foods, and high cholesterol lead to this. This later causes liver inflammation.
Viral hepatitis: Infections caused by viruses such as hepatitis B and C can seriously affect the liver. They are transmitted through contaminated food or water (Hepatitis A, E), or through infected blood and other body fluids.
Illicit drug use: Taking painkillers or other supplements for a long time without a doctor’s prescription can become toxic to the liver. The chemical reactions that occur when the liver tries to break down these drugs damage the cells.
Heredity and autoimmune problems: Some people have a genetic condition that causes the liver to accumulate iron (Hemochromatosis) or copper (Wilson’s disease). In addition, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own liver cells (Autoimmune Hepatitis) is rare.