Liver and Vital Functions
The liver is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen and is the body's largest solid organ. It is a metabolic factory that performs over 500 vital functions for health. Its main tasks include:
- Cleaning blood from toxins, drugs, and alcohol,
- Producing bile necessary for digestion,
- Synthesizing proteins, cholesterol, and factors responsible for blood clotting,
- Processing carbohydrates and fats obtained from food and storing energy,
- Storing vitamins and minerals.
Due to these fundamental functions, the health of the liver is critical to overall body health.
What Are Common Liver Diseases?
Liver diseases encompass a wide range of conditions that damage the structure or functions of the liver. The most common liver diseases include:
- Fatty Liver (Steatosis): Excessive accumulation of fat in liver cells. It can be alcohol-related or, more frequently today, related to conditions such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance, referred to as "Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease" (NAFLD). It can progress from simple fat accumulation to a more serious form called steatohepatitis (NASH), which can cause inflammation and damage in the liver.
- Hepatitides: Inflammation of the liver. It can occur due to viral infections (Hepatitis A, B, C), excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, or immune system attack on liver cells (autoimmune hepatitis). Especially chronic Hepatitis B and C can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer over the years.
- Cirrhosis: The advanced final stage of chronic liver diseases. At this stage, the continuously damaged liver tissue is replaced by a hard scar tissue that does not function. Cirrhosis permanently impairs liver functions and can cause life-threatening complications.
- Autoimmune Liver Diseases: Conditions in which the body's immune system attacks the liver or bile duct cells (e.g., Autoimmune Hepatitis, Primary Biliary Cholangitis).
General Symptoms
Early-stage liver diseases often progress quietly and may not cause noticeable complaints. Symptoms that may appear as the disease advances include:
- Weakness, constant fatigue, and loss of appetite
- Nausea and a feeling of fullness in the upper right abdomen
- Jaundice (yellowing) of the skin and sclerae
- Darkening of urine and lightening of stool color
- Itching of the skin, easy bruising or bleeding
- Swelling in the legs and abdomen due to fluid accumulation (edema and ascites)
Diagnosis and Treatment Approach
In diagnosing liver diseases, the patient's medical history and physical examination are the first steps. To support diagnosis and determine the cause and severity of the disease, imaging methods such as blood tests (liver function tests, viral markers), ultrasound and, in some cases, liver biopsy are used.
Treatment varies significantly depending on the underlying cause. The goal of treatment is to halt disease progression, control symptoms, and prevent complications. Various methods are applied, including lifestyle changes (quitting alcohol, weight loss), antiviral medications, immune-suppressing treatments, or management of other underlying metabolic issues. Liver diseases are serious conditions that require management by a physician and regular follow-up.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.
