The
liver is a fairly large organ (roughly the size of a football)
that sits in the right side of the abdomen just below the rib
cage. It has a number of important functions that are essential
for survival. This becomes quite obvious when the liver is damaged.
The
liver in health
The
livers main role in the body is to process the food we eat,
make important proteins, and help detoxify harmful substances
in the blood. Whatever we take into our mouth that gets absorbed
from the stomach and intestines into the blood first goes to
the liver.
The
liver will process many of these substances before they reach
the rest of the body. It is the liver, for example, that clears
alcohol from the blood (otherwise, we might feel its effects
for days).
The
liver is also an important workhorse for the metabolism of glucose
(sugar), proteins, and fats. The liver stores glucose and releases
it slowly so that the body has a steady supply in between meals.
The
liver also makes many important proteins from the food we eat.
For example, the liver makes proteins necessary for blood to
clot, so that we dont bleed to death after sustaining a small
cut.
The
liver in sickness
Jaundice
When the liver is injured, either in the short-term or chronically,
it cannot perform these functions effectively. The one symptom
of liver disease that most people are familiar with is jaundice,
or a yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin.
Jaundice
occurs because the livers capacity to break down a common by-product
of daily metabolism becomes decreased. This by-product increases
to a high level in the blood and gets deposited into the eyes
and skin. Fortunately, if the liver heals, this yellowish discoloration
goes away.
Hepatitis
In
most people, the reason for jaundice is hepatitis. Hepatitis
is the scientific name for inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis
is usually due to either a viral
infection or toxins (such as too much alcohol or acetaminophen
[Tylenol]).
There
are several different viruses that cause hepatitis. Some are
simply called Hepatitis viruses (such as Hepatitis A,
B,
C,
D, and E) because they primarily affect the liver, whereas others
have different names (such as the Epstein-Barr virus, which
causes Mono )
because they affect the liver only sometimes.
Its
also important to note a quite uncommon cause of hepatitis called
Reyes syndrome. This can occasionally occur when children are
given aspirin for a fever. It is recommended that children with
a fever be given acetaminophen (Tylenol) to avoid this potentially
fatal, poorly understood condition.
Regardless
of the cause of hepatitis, however, the symptoms are generally
similar. Affected persons generally experience nausea and vomiting,
abdominal pain, and jaundice. The causes of liver problems mentioned
above are generally sudden in onset, causing acute liver disease.
Cirrhosis
Chronic
liver disease is generally from chronic hepatitis due to alcohol,
viruses, or other less common disorders. Chronic liver disease
may lead to cirrhosis;
an irreversible condition characterized by a hardened, scarred
liver that no longer functions effectively. In the United States,
alcoholism is by far the number one cause of chronic liver disease.
Hepatitis
B and C can also cause chronic inflammation of the liver. These
infections are usually obtained from intravenous drug use, sex,
or blood transfusions (which is rare in the modern era because
blood is now screened for contamination with these viruses).
A
Hepatitis B vaccine is available and is recommended for all
newborns, young adults, and people whose lifestyle or career
places them at risk. Hepatitis A is generally transmitted by
contaminated food and does not cause chronic liver disease (though
it can cause severe liver damage temporarily).
Cirrhosis
causes many changes in the body, all due to the damage to the
liver. Jaundice, bleeding, psychiatric disturbances, large amounts
of fluid in the abdomen (known as ascites), infections, weight
loss, muscle wasting, and kidney failure may all occur. The
only hope for prolonged survival in the presence of cirrhosis
is a liver transplant.
The
liver takes care of many important functions in the body and
is necessary for survival. Avoidance of chronic liver problems
is usually possible through a few simple measures: eat healthy;
drink in moderation, if at all; do not give aspirin to a child
with a fever; avoid unprotected sex outside of a monogamous
relationship; dont share needles if you use intravenous drugs;
and ask your doctor about the Hepatitis
B vaccine.
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