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Liver disease

 

The term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes ( jaundice ), or abnormal results of liver function tests may suggest you have liver disease.

Related topics include:

  • Alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency
  • Amebic liver abscess
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Biliary atresia
  • Cirrhosis
  • Coccidioidomycosis
  • Delta agent (hepatitis D)
  • Drug-induced cholestasis
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Liver disease due to alcohol
  • Primary biliary cirrhosis
  • Pyogenic liver abscess
  • Reye syndrome
  • Sclerosing cholangitis
  • Wilson disease

 

References

Anstee QM, Jones DEJ. Liver and bilary tract disease. In: Walker BR, Colledge NR, Ralston SH, Penman ID, eds. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014:chap 23.

Martin P. Approach to the patient with liver disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 146.

 
  • Liver fattening, CT scan - illustration

    A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a fatty liver (steatosis of the liver). Note the liver enlargement and dark color compared with the spleen (gray body in lower right).

    Liver fattening, CT scan

    illustration

  • Liver with disproportional fattening, CT scan - illustration

    A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing disproportional steatosis (fattening) of the liver.

    Liver with disproportional fattening, CT scan

    illustration

  • Cirrhosis of the liver - illustration

    A chronic liver disease which causes damage to liver tissue, scarring of the liver (fibrosis; nodular regeneration), progressive decrease in liver function, excessive fluid in the abdomen (ascites), bleeding disorders (coagulopathy), increased pressure in the blood vessels (portal hypertension), and brain function disorders (hepatic encephalopathy). Excessive alcohol use is the leading cause of cirrhosis

    Cirrhosis of the liver

    illustration

  • Liver - illustration

    The liver serves a wide variety of body functions, including detoxifying blood and producing bile that aids in digestion.

    Liver

    illustration

    • Liver fattening, CT scan - illustration

      A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing a fatty liver (steatosis of the liver). Note the liver enlargement and dark color compared with the spleen (gray body in lower right).

      Liver fattening, CT scan

      illustration

    • Liver with disproportional fattening, CT scan - illustration

      A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing disproportional steatosis (fattening) of the liver.

      Liver with disproportional fattening, CT scan

      illustration

    • Cirrhosis of the liver - illustration

      A chronic liver disease which causes damage to liver tissue, scarring of the liver (fibrosis; nodular regeneration), progressive decrease in liver function, excessive fluid in the abdomen (ascites), bleeding disorders (coagulopathy), increased pressure in the blood vessels (portal hypertension), and brain function disorders (hepatic encephalopathy). Excessive alcohol use is the leading cause of cirrhosis

      Cirrhosis of the liver

      illustration

    • Liver - illustration

      The liver serves a wide variety of body functions, including detoxifying blood and producing bile that aids in digestion.

      Liver

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       

        Tests for Liver disease

         

         

        Review Date: 5/11/2016

        Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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