Liver Disorders are one of the most common health disorders among human being all around the world. 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.
Function of Liver
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.
Causes of Liver Disorders
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.
Symptoms of Liver Disorders
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;
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.
Diagnosis of Liver Disorders
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.
Types 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,
Budd-Chiari Syndrome,
Acute Liver Failure
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Apart from these, there are also many Paediatric Liver Diseases that can also be led by different types of liver disorders.
Treatment 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. The Naturopathic treatment of liver disorders includes various dietary restrictions and different exercises.
A patient should take proper care and seek medical attention once any of these symptoms is found. 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.
