Chronic Liver Disease Research Paper

As the Directors at the Sharp Rees Medical Facility, we will be talking about the liver. The liver is a very important organ in the human body as it does not just perform one function but is involved in multiple tasks. Some interesting facts about the liver; it weighs under five pounds, it has a shape like a half football and everyone is born with one. Just like most other disease or disorder, if the liver has not been taken care of properly there are many negative outcomes that can affect and destroy the liver. There are many complications when the liver is abused or damage for example cancer, hemochromatosis, gallbladder or

“Each Year in the United States about one-hundred and fifty-thousand patients develop cancer of the colon or rectum. Around fifty percent of these patients will either have a cancer that has already spread to the liver or they will come back in future years with metastatic cancer to the liver.” Liver cancer, or other known as Hepatocellular Carcinoma, is a cancer residing in the liver. There are other cancers like metastatic cancer that starts at other organs then spreads to the liver. Being the third most common cancer in the world, it is also one of the deadliest. Twenty percent of the patients that are affected by liver cancer survive for a year after diagnosis. Sadly, five percentile of the survivors live for only five years or more.

Cirrhosis has many causes, although the most common ones are alcoholism and chronic viral hepatitis B, and C. Cirrhosis can develop as a

Liver disease resulting from alcohol affects more than two million Americans and is one of the primary causes of illness and death. The liver frees the body of harmful substances, such as alcohol. While the liver breaks down alcohol, it produces toxins that can be even more dangerous than the alcohol consumed (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 13). “These by-products damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken the body’s natural defenses. Eventually, these problems can disrupt the body’s metabolism and impair the function of other organs” (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 13). A condition called steatosis is the result of fat build up in the liver and is the

This case study is about Abdul Chidiac, a 51 year old male, married with 4 children. He had a medical history of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and cirrhosis with two admissions in the last six months. He is a smoker and drinks beer, 5-6 bottles per day. As Carithers & McClain (2010) explained the patient’s medical history is another indicator of the risk for cirrhosis; the progression to cirrhosis is adaptable and may take time over weeks or many years. Cirrhosis is a liver disease characterized by permanent scarring of the

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of normal, healthy liver tissue by fibrotic scar tissue, blocking the flow of blood through the organ and preventing it from working as it should, as well as regenerative nodules leading to progressive loss of liver function. The liver, the largest organ in the body, is vital in keeping the body functioning properly. It removes or neutralizes poisons from the blood, produces immune agents to control infection, and removes germs and bacteria from the blood. It

Alcoholic fatty liver (steatosis) can lead to cirrhosis and is caused by ingestion of more than one alcoholic drink (14 grams of alcohol) per day for women and two alcoholic drinks (28 grams of alcohol) per day for men (McCance & Heuther, 2014). Intravenous drug use, unprotected sexual intercourse as well as blood transfusions can lead to the transmission of Hepatitis B and C viruses.

Cirrhosis is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States. Cirrhosis affects one of the largest organs in the body, the liver. It is a condition that slowly worsens the liver and is unable to function normally due to chronic injury. Cirrhosis consists of four stages with the fourth stage being the most advanced stage of cirrhosis. When healthy liver cells are damaged and replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis) it’s known as a degenerative disease called cirrhosis. Chronic alcoholism is the leading cause of cirrhosis due to excessive drinking of alcohol, which causes the liver to swell. In sequence with alcoholism and hepatitis C, or alone obesity can be a risk factor in developing cirrhosis. Cirrhosis of the liver is a disease that can affect many individuals if the condition is not caught in early stages it can become deadly.

Cirrhosis is a condition of scarring of the liver which is caused when the liver has tried repairing itself following damage. This damage may come from a previous infection, such as from a form of hepatitis (usually hepatitis C) or damage done by the use of toxins, such as alcohol. Cirrhosis is irreversible but future damage can be slowed or prevented by treating the underlying cause.

The liver is the largest gland and second largest organ in the human body. It is also the only internal organ capable of regeneration following injury. Located in the abdominal cavity, this reddish brown organ is divided into lobes of different size and shape. The liver plays a critical role in metabolism, digestion, elimination, and detoxification, among other processes. This organ performs a surprisingly large number of functions that influence virtually all other body systems. This is why diseases of the liver can be so devastating. One class of chronic diseases affecting the liver is cirrhosis. (Kasper, 2008)

Risk factors of cirrhosis are chronic alcohol abuse, (medical conditions) chronic infections with hepatitis B, C or D. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which is a disorder of fat cells building up in the liver leading to scarring, Inherited disorders also one that interfere with the way the liver produces, processes, store enzymes, proteins, metals, and other substances necessary for proper functioning of the body. Hepatic congestion a condition such as heart failure or constrictive pericarditis can cause congestion within the liver. secondary biliary cirrhosis is blockage of the bile ducts causing bile to back up and start damaging liver tissue. Age is another factor because a person is more likely to developed cirrhosis as they get older, the reason why is had more years to expose your liver to viruses, toxins, and medical conditions. Autoimmune hepatitis is immune cells are mistaken for normal liver cells invading cells and attacking

Liver disease commonly known as Non Alchoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is esstmated to be present in as much as 86% of everyone who suffer from severe obesity. If left untreated, it has the potential to damage thee liver and lead to the development of cirrhosis

About 50% of Americans actually have liver disease but most symptoms are very dull and unnoticeable that people do pay attention or not aware of them. The most common symptoms for severe liver disease include prominent yellowing of skin and eyes, very dark tinted urine, light colored stool or bowel movements, mental confusion and continued possession of liquids in abdominal area. The 50% of American mentioned previously have a slight liver disease due to drinking an excessive amount. There are simple guidelines to follow that differ from man to female when it comes to drinking. Males can handle alcohol more efficiently than women. Not only does alcohol ruin the liver many over the counter drugs do like Tylenol. Take in mind the liver is the bodies filter everything that comes in it must go through the liver so it is safe for the consumer. A liver can only handle so much at one time that is why people become intoxicated due to the fact that they do not give their liver enough time to process all the alcohol. In doing this the liver gets severely damaged, although the liver the magical organ can regenerate itself people tend to drink like alcoholics and that is when liver disease because an issue. Indeed there must be about 75% damage to the liver to start experiencing failure in bodily functions. On occasion liver failure is reversible if not all cells are damaged but if so then the

Cirrhosis, the development of scar tissue in the liver, can often result in liver cancer. Additionally, some environmental factors, such as exposure to particular chemicals or eating food contaminated with aflatoxin, a toxin produced by mold on nuts and grains, may raise the risk of cancer. Excessive alcohol and tobacco usage is associated with developing cirrhosis and liver cancer as well. Obesity and diabetes are also risk factors in developing liver cancer. A person can lower their risk of liver cancer by avoiding and treating hepatitis infections, limiting their alcohol and tobacco use and avoiding obesity. Moreover, a person should control their exposure to cancer causing chemicals and make healthy food choices. A person should also treat any inherited liver diseases that could increase their risk of cancer.

Even though the liver has the ability to react to damage and can repair itself, repetitive insults can produce liver failure or deadly diseases, infections, and disorders. A few such diseases are viral hepatitis, yellow fever, and rubella. Some of the disease caused by bacteria are amebic dysentery, leptospirosis, and streptococcal infections. These diseases can fatally damage the liver.