Studies show that about 2 in 20 Americans have a liver disorder, and over 5 million individuals have chronic cases. Liver diseases are becoming more rampant because of unhealthy environments, improper diets, unhealthy practices, and many other reasons.
While the statistics of people with liver ailments may increase, you can live unaffected by any similar condition all your life. Regular tests, early diagnosis, healthy practices, and early treatments can ensure you lead a long and healthy life.
Speaking of tests, you do not need to perform invasive tests to check for liver-related conditions. Instead, you can consult approved medical establishments like https://www.fibronostics.com/ to perform non-invasive and highly intelligent tests, diagnoses, and treatments.
Let’s check the common liver diseases, types of tests, and recovery methods.
Common Liver Diseases And Conditions
The liver is prone to several types of diseases and conditions. However, the common ones are explained below.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a scar that occurs when the liver experiences damage. An example is alcohol damage. Naturally, the liver regenerates after damage but always develops dangerous scar tissue. Other non-liver issues like syphilis can cause Cirrhosis.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a condition where the liver is inflamed. This condition damages the liver over time and can be contracted if caused by a virus. However, one can reduce the risk of contracting this disease by taking vaccines for types A and B, having protected sex, and observing proper prevention practices.
Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty Liver Disease can occur through excessive fat buildup and insulin resistance in the body. It causes Cirrhosis and shuts down the liver. However, you can mitigate it through a controlled diet and lifestyle. This condition occurs in two types, which can happen individually or simultaneously. They include:
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: This disease type happens because of excessive alcohol intake.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: This one occurs by other factors. However, they are not fully discovered.
Autoimmune Conditions
An autoimmune condition is a situation where the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the body, especially the liver. There are different types of this condition. They include:
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: This condition affects the bile ducts and traps bile in the liver.
Autoimmune Hepatitis: This makes the immune system fight against the liver and causes inflammation. If not treated, it can cause Cirrhosis and eventually destroy the liver.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: This liver disorder happens as an inflammation that slowly causes the bile ducts to block and accumulate bile in the liver.
Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a genetic liver condition that causes the body to store excessive iron. This disease damages the liver over time.
Copper Storage Disease
This disease is also genetic. It makes the liver trap copper instead of sending it out to the bile ducts. Aside from the liver, it affects other parts of the body (e.g., the brain) by littering copper around the body.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
This liver disease occurs when the liver produces incorrect shapes or insufficient amounts of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, also known as AAT. It leads to issues in the lungs and liver. While you cannot cure it, medical procedures can reduce its effects.
Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity
Excessive and dangerous drug ingestion can cause severe damage to the liver. However, if you stay away from drugs that affect your health negatively, you can get back to full health.
Cancer
This liver ailment mostly begins in the liver. A popular example is Cholangiocarcinoma. You can cure liver cancer in its early stages. However, if it becomes advanced, you must undergo medical procedures to minimize its effects and elongate your lifespan.
Types Of Liver Tests
There are several kinds of tests that medical experts perform to examine the liver condition. Some of them are explained below.
Prothrombin Time
This test, otherwise called PT, measures how fast blood clots. Sometimes, increased clot time may mean that your liver is damaged.
Aspartate Transaminase (AST)
This enzyme acts on amino acids and is found in low quantities in the blood. High levels of AST may pass as symptoms of liver disease.
Alanine Transaminase (ALT)
This test checks for how much ALT is in the bloodstream. Excessive amounts of this enzyme in the blood signify liver damage.
Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a pigment produced in the liver and released in the stool. An excessive amount of this substance in the stool indicates liver disease.
Albumin
Albumin is an essential liver-produced protein that helps to ward off antibodies. A low amount of this protein in the body reads liver disease.
Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
GGT is a blood enzyme. Excessive amounts of it could indicate a liver problem.
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
LDH is a liver enzyme. Excessive amounts may signify liver damage.
Treatment and Recovery Methods
There are different methods for treating liver diseases. However, the treatment method depends on the liver disease. Some of them include:
Liver Transplant
Liver transplants are often efficient for handling liver diseases. They involve removing the failed liver with a healthy one. The liver transplant can be done by transplanting a whole, healthy liver from a deceased person, or the patient can receive a healthy liver part from a living donor.
Drugs
Sometimes, medical experts treat liver conditions with medications. Some of these conditions include Hepatitis and Wilson’s disease.
Controlled Diet and Lifestyles
If your case is not very difficult, your medical practitioner can recommend some dietary changes and daily practices to keep you healthy. They can range from abstaining from alcohol to performing regular exercises. Diet is very important for liver health. Therefore, by changing to healthy food and avoiding processed food and sugar, you can help your liver recover. One must be aware that all the toxins go through this organ, and the less we overwhelm it with work, the quicker can recover.
Don’t Delay! Consult a Professional Today
Liver diseases have different complexities and treatment approaches. Hence, it is important that you visit a medical practitioner if you begin experiencing strange symptoms. An early diagnosis could save you from an incurable disease.
