The liver is considered the largest and one of the most critical organs in the body and it plays a crucial role in the body`s metabolism. Liver is located on the right side of the abdomen under the diaphragm and works like a chemical laboratory. Its main function is the secretion of bile and the production of enzymes, which is essential for digestion of fats and control of the chemical processes in the body, respectively. The liver metabolises most of the nutrients that are absorbed by the intestine, stores them, produces proteins and also detoxifies blood by removing drugs, alcohol, and potentially harmful chemicals from the bloodstream. The liver disorders are caused due to various reasons and can be identified through several symptoms. These may affect everyone from infants to older adults and can lead to many severe diseases as well.

Among the numerous causes of liver disorders, the main causes include excessive eating, poor nutrition, bad food, alcohol consumption, drugs and toxins, obesity, genetics, overloading, viral infections, etc. The Hepatitis viruses are the most common causes of liver disorders. There are three types of Hepatitis viruses named Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and the Hepatitis C, also known as Cirrhosis. These viruses can be transmitted from one person to another through sewage, contaminated food and water, contact with infected semen, blood, vaginal secretions, sharing of infected needles, direct blood-to-blood contact and also from mother to newborn. The liver disorders caused due to Cirrhosis are known as Liver Cirrhosis. The main causes of this type of liver disorders include long-term, excessive alcohol consumption; chronic infection with hepatitis B virus; inherited disorders of iron and copper metabolism; severe reactions to certain medications; infections from bacteria and parasites usually found in the tropics; repeated episodes of heart failure with liver congestion and bile-duct obstruction; etc.

There are several signs and symptoms that help in identifying the liver disorders. The symptoms of liver disorders usually differ according to different types. However, there are some common symptoms that can be found in almost all types of liver disorders. These symptoms include abdominal pain; general fatigue; intestinal bleeding; itching; jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes); nausea and vomiting; small red, spider-like blood vessels under the skin or easy bruising; swelling in the abdomen and legs caused by fluid accumulation; weakness; weight loss; mental disorder; rectal bleeding; vomiting blood; etc. A patient should take proper care and seek medical attention once any of these symptoms is found. The diagnosis of liver disorders is mostly done through blood tests and knowing a complete personal history. Sometimes, a liver biopsy is also performed to confirm the diagnosis of liver disorders.

Many types of liver disorders have been distinguished so far. Different types of liver disorders show different signs and symptoms and also require different treatment procedures. The liver disorders may sometimes lead to other severe diseases that can cause great harm to the human body. These diseases include Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Haemochromatosis, Liver Cancer, Wilson`s disease, Primary sclerosing cholangitis, Primary biliary cirrhosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, Gilbert`s syndrome, Glycogen storage disease type II, etc. Apart from these, the pediatric liver diseases like biliary atresia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, alagille syndrome, choledochal cyst, galactosemia, neonatal hepatitis, Reye`s syndrome, type 1 glycogen storage disease, tyrosinemia, progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, etc. can also be led by different types of liver disorders.

Different alternative medicinal methods are used for treatment of liver disorders. The methods include Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Naturopathy or nature care, etc. and are applied most frequently for treating these disorders. In Ayurveda, the herbs like Bhringraj (Eclipta prostata), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), (Hog wood), Kasni (Chichorium intybus), (Chicory), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea), (Wild Indigo), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Pitpada (Fumaria officinalis), Amalvetas (Rheum emodi), etc. are used frequently to make medicines for liver disorders. In Siddha, medicines for liver disorders are made using the ingredients like Venkaram (Borax), Rasa Karpooram (Mercuric sub chloride), Manjal (Curcuma longa), Elumichai Charu (Lemon Juice), etc. The Naturopathic treatment of liver disorders includes various dietary restrictions and different exercises.

The liver disorders are one of the most common health disorders among human being all around the world. Though the numerous types of liver disorders are caused due to several reasons, the occurrence of these disorders can easily be avoided by taking proper preventive actions.