About Chronic liver disease cirrhosis

Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by

• Chronic Liver Disease

• CLD

• Cirrhosis

What is Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis?

Chronic liver disease is a long-term condition where the liver gets worse over time. The liver is an important organ that helps with digestion, makes proteins, and removes harmful substances in the body. Cirrhosis is a serious stage of chronic liver disease where the liver becomes scarred and can't work properly anymore. However, not all cases of chronic liver disease progress to cirrhosis.

People with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis may experience symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, and yellow skin or eyes. They may also have problems with their digestion, like feeling sick or having a swollen belly. Some people may experience bleeding or bruising easily, or their legs and feet may swell up.

These are some different types of chronic liver disease:

• Alcoholic liver disease: This is caused by drinking too much alcohol for a long time, and it can lead to liver damage and cirrhosis.

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): This is when fat builds up in the liver, but it's not caused by drinking alcohol. It's the most common type of chronic liver disease in the United States and is linked to obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): This is a more severe form of NAFLD, where there is inflammation and liver cell damage in addition to fat accumulation. NASH can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

• Hemochromatosis: This is a genetic disorder in which the body absorbs too much iron from the diet, leading to iron overload in the liver and other organs. Over time, this can cause liver damage and cirrhosis.

• Chronic viral hepatitis: This includes long-term infections with hepatitis B and C viruses, which can cause inflammation and liver damage. Chronic viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplantation.

• Autoimmune hepatitis: This is when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the liver, causing inflammation and liver damage. It can lead to cirrhosis if not treated.

• Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC): This is a chronic liver disease where the small bile ducts in the liver are destroyed, leading to bile accumulation and liver damage. PBC is more common in women and is often associated with other autoimmune conditions.

• Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC): This is a chronic liver disease where there is inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. PSC is often associated with inflammatory bowel disease.

Trend

• In the United States, about 4.5 million adults have chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. This is about 1.8% of all adults.

• About 35,000 people die from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis each year in the United States. Cirrhosis is the ninth leading cause of death in the country.

• The number of people with a type of chronic liver disease called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is going up. It is estimated that by 2030, NAFLD will be the main reason why people need a liver transplant in the United States.

History of Chronic Liver Disease

The history of chronic liver disease goes way back. People have known about it for thousands of years. Ancient doctors could tell if someone’s liver was hurt by looking at their skin and eyes. If they were yellow, it was a sign that the liver was in trouble. This is still a symptom we look for today.

Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis - Sources of Information

• Better Health Channel

• Johns Hopkins Medicine

• Mayo Clinic

• Medical Xpress

• MedlinePlus

• NCBI

For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.