Chronic Liver Disease (2024)

FAQs

Chronic Liver Disease? ›

Chronic liver disease represents a continuous and progressive process of hepatic fibrosis, liver tissue architectural distortion, and regeneration nodule formation. While fibrosis is usually irreversible, but it can be reversible in the initial stage of development.

In the early stages of compensated cirrhosis, life expectancy may still be upwards of 15 years. When portal hypertension develops, it reduces that expectancy, primarily due to the risk of internal bleeding it can cause. Decompensated cirrhosis has an average life expectancy of seven years.

This depends on the cause and how treatable it is. Once you have cirrhosis, you can't undo the scarring that's already been done, but you may be able to prevent further damage or slow it down. Chronic liver failure isn't reversible, though it can still take years to progress.

Acute liver failure can develop quickly in an otherwise healthy person, and it is life-threatening. If you or someone you know suddenly develops a yellowing of the eyes or skin; tenderness in the upper abdomen; or any unusual changes in mental state, personality or behavior, seek medical attention right away.

Foods that are high in sugar, fat, and salt put extra stress on the liver. Fast food, packaged foods, and processed foods tend to contain a lot of these elements.

Stage 1 is inflammation of your liver, caused by your immune system reacting to a foreign substance, like toxins. Chronic inflammation can lead to an enlarged liver. Inflammation can result from fatty liver, hepatitis, and other causes. Stage 2 is liver fibrosis or liver scarring, caused by chronic inflammation.

Liver failure can develop slowly or rapidly, depending on the cause and the condition of the liver. Chronic liver failure: The most common type of liver failure is chronic, which can take months or years to develop.

This is called liver failure. Cirrhosis can be fatal if the liver fails. However, it usually takes years for the condition to reach this stage and treatment can help slow its progression. Each year in the UK, around 4,000 people die from cirrhosis and 700 people with the condition need a liver transplant to survive.

If there are symptoms of liver disease, they may include: Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. Yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black or brown skin. Belly pain and swelling.

What part of the body itches with liver problems? ›

Symptoms of itching with liver disease

Some people may itch in one area, such as a limb, the soles of their feet, or the palms of their hands, while others experience an all-over itch. Itching linked to liver disease doesn't generally involve rash or skin lesions.

The most common symptoms are jaundice, nausea, fatigue, and pain on the right side of the abdomen. If you think you may be experiencing signs of liver disease, see a healthcare provider right away. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.

Fatigue may occur at any time of day but is most common in the morning about an hour after awakening. By 9 a.m. one may already feel the exhaustion of a full workday. Others describe weakness and a lack of energy throughout the entire day. Their usual "pep" is now gone.

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a progressive deterioration of liver functions for more than six months, which includes synthesis of clotting factors, other proteins, detoxification of harmful products of metabolism, and excretion of bile.

Your liver may keep working even when you have cirrhosis. However, cirrhosis can eventually lead to liver failure, and you can get serious complications, which can be life threatening.

Typically, liver cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases develops following prolonged inflammation. The mortality and morbidity associated with liver cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases increase sharply, with a 1-year case-fatality rate reaching up to 80%.