Liver disease

The liver is the second largest organ in the body, and it works hard. It carries out hundreds of complex functions, including:

• fighting infections and illness
• removing toxins (poisons), such as alcohol, from the body
• controlling cholesterol levels
• helping blood to clot (thicken)
• releasing bile, a liquid that breaks down fats and aids digestion

Liver disease doesn't usually cause any obvious signs or symptoms until it's fairly advanced and the liver is damaged. At this stage, possible symptoms can include loss of appetite, weight loss and jaundice.

Liver disease is a broad name for several different conditions. Here are some of the specific types:

• alcohol-related liver disease: the liver is damaged after years of alcohol misuse, and this can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: fat builds up within liver cells, usually in people who are overweight or obese
• hepatitis: inflammation (swelling) of the liver, caused by a viral infection or by exposure to harmful substances such as alcohol
• haemochromatosis: an inherited disorder where iron slowly builds up in the body, usually around the liver
• primary biliary cirrhosis: a rare, long-term type of liver disease that damages the bile ducts in the liver

Cirrhosis isn't only a result of alcohol-related liver disease. All types of liver disease can cause it.

Liver disease is on the increase. The 3 main causes of liver disease are:

• obesity
• undiagnosed hepatitis infection
• alcohol misuse

All three of these causes can be prevented.

• make sure your weight is healthy for your height
• avoid drinking too much alcohol
• take the right steps to prevent hepatitis, such as getting vaccinated if you're at risk