Liver Conditions
From Health Facts
(Redirected from Liver Dysfunctions)
Latest Edit: Hector 2013-07-31 (EDT)
The liver is the primary organ of detoxification in the body.
Causes | Food Reactions, Smoking, Allergies, Infections |
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See Also | General Conditions, |
Books | Books on Liver Conditions |
Articles | Articles on Liver Conditions |
Contents
Role of the Liver
The liver is a complex organ with many different functions including:
- metabolize carbohydrates and store the breakdown products as glycogen
- metabolize lipids (including cholesterol and certain vitamins) and proteins
- manufacture bile
- filter impurities and toxic material from the blood
- produce blood-clotting factors
- destroy old, worn-out red blood cells
- primary organ of detoxification for the body
Risk
The following conditions increase a person's risk of liver disease:
- history or known or possible exposure to viral infections that result in hepatitis
- environmental toxins and toxins in food that can damage the liver
- alcoholism or heavy drinking
- family history of liver disease
- medications that damage the liver
- obesity
- diabetes
Symptoms of Liver Disease
The primary symptoms associated with liver disease include:
- weakness
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- nausea and/or vomiting
- abdominal swelling and/or pain
- jaundice
- dark urine, light colored stool
- itching (pruritus)
Common Liver Conditions
- Cirrhosis
- Fatty Liver
- Gallstones and Cholestasis
- Hepatitis
- High Cholesterol or Hypercholestemia
- High Lipids or Hyperlipidemia