Liver disease

What are the functions of the liver?

produce bile, produce proteins, detoxifies drugs + alcohol, process excessive nitrogen

what is Fatty liver disease

accumulation of fat in liver tissue, the amount of fat exceeds the amount the liver can use or export to blood

causes of fatty liver disease

metabolic defects, drugs, excessive alcohol intake, NAFLD

What enzymes are elevated with fatty liver disease?

AST and ALT

what could fatty liver disease lead to?

steatohepatitis, hepatomegaly

what is steatohepatitis?

liver inflammation

what is hepatomegaly

liver enlargement

What is hepatitis

liver inflammation that leads to tissue damage

Causes of hepatitis

viral infections, excessive alcohol intake, fatty liver disease

What is Jaundice

the build up of bilirubin due to the liver not being able to break it down

What is Hep A

acute infection

how is HAV transmitted

through fecal oral contamination

symptoms of HAV

jaundice, nausea, diarrhea, malaise

which forms of hepatitis are there vaccines for?

HAV and HBV

what is HBV

acute of chronic infection

How is HBV transmitted

through infected blood, sexual contact, mother to child through childbirth

What is HCV

chronic infection

how is HCV transmitted

infected blood/ needles

What is Cirrhosis

late stage chronic liver disease characterized by fibrosis

what is fibrosis

extensive scarring replaces healthy liver tissue

causes of Cirrhosis

alcohol abuse, chronic HCV/ HBV, NAFLD

Symptoms of Cirrhosis

Initial: fatigue, weakness, anorexia, weight loss

Later: anemia, blood clotting, increased susceptibility to infection, jaundice, ascites and varices

what is portal hypertension

fibrotic tissue impedes blood flow through liver causing blood pressure to rise

what are collateral vessels

blood vessels that enlarge or newly form to allow for an alternative path for blood

what are varices

abnormal dilated blood vessels that are very vulnerable to bursting

what is ascites

large accumulation of fluid in abdominal cavity

what is hepatic encephalopathy

abnormal neurological function