Liver Disease FAQ

 Q How does liver disease affect nutrition?

A Many chronic liver diseases are associated with malnutrition. The most common is cirrhosis, which is the scarring of the liver. Cirrhosis can occur by repeated injury to liver cells, which can be caused by excessive alcohol intake, chronic viral hepatitis, exposure to certain drugs or toxic substances, and a variety of other causes.

People with cirrhosis often experience loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, giving them a thin appearance. Diet alone does not contribute to the development of this liver disease generally, although non-alcoholic fatty liver, associated with obesity, can lead to cirrhosis.

People who are well-nourished but drink large amounts of alcohol are also at risk for alcoholic disease.

Q What is Fatty Liver Disease and is it caused by eating too much fat?

A Fatty Liver Disease, also known as “fatty infiltration of the liver,” is not caused by excessive eating of fats, although obesity is a risk factor for fatty liver. In some patients, the fat is associated with inflammation and scarring and may lead to cirrhosis.

Nutritional causes of fat in the liver include alcohol, starvation, obesity, protein malnutrition, and intestinal bypass operation for obesity.

Diabetes is another factor associated with fatty liver.

Chemicals And Drugs

Q Can exposure to chemicals or certain drugs cause permanent damage to my liver?

A Yes, chemicals can cause chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Usually, chronic liver disease develops only after long-term use of a drug.

Excessive exposure to certain drugs and chemicals may cause tumors of the liver as well.

 

Q Can illegal drugs damage the liver?

A Yes, liver damage is common in people who are regular illegal drug users. Most instances of liver damage in these individuals result from viral hepatitis caused by sharing contaminated needles and using alcohol.

 

Q Is there a connection between herbs and liver damage?

A There is still no solid evidence yet that herbs are helpful to the liver, but there are clear examples of herbs being damaging to the liver.

You may want to contact your physician before taking any herbs; for example, the USDA advises that Kava (Piper Methysticum), which is promoted to aid mood regulation, can possibly cause severe liver injury.

Q Does alcohol cause liver disease?

A Yes, but it is only one of the many causes, and the risk depends on how much you drink and over how long a period. Some causes include viruses, hereditary defects, and reactions to drugs and chemicals.

Q How much alcohol can I safely drink?

A Some people are more sensitive to alcohol than others. Generally, doctors recommend that if you drink, don’t drink more than two drinks per day.

Q Are there dangers from alcohol besides the amount that is consumed?

A Yes. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can have toxic effects when taken with over-the-counter drugs containing acetaminophen. If you are taking over-the-counter drugs, be especially careful about drinking and don’t use an alcoholic beverage to take your medication. Ask your doctor about precautions for prescription drugs.

Q What kinds of liver diseases are caused by too much alcohol?

A Alcoholic hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that lasts one to two weeks. Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and tenderness, fever, jaundice, and sometimes, mental confusion. It is believed to lead to alcoholic cirrhosis over a period of years.

Cirrhosis involves permanent damage to the liver cells. “Fatty Liver” is the earliest stage of alcoholic liver disease. If the patient stops drinking at this point, the liver can heal itself.

Q Can “social drinkers” get alcoholic hepatitis?

A Yes. Alcoholic hepatitis is mostly found in alcoholics, but it also occurs in people who are not alcoholics.

Q Do all alcoholics get alcoholic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis?

A No. Some alcoholics may suffer seriously from the many physical and psychological symptoms of alcoholism, but escape serious liver damage.

Alcoholic cirrhosis is found among alcoholics about 10–25 percent of the time. If alcoholic hepatitis is detected and treated early, cirrhosis can be prevented. However, if untreated for a long period of time, it may be fatal, especially if the patient has had previous liver damage.

Q What is cirrhosis?

A Cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver caused by long-term alcohol abuse or chronic viral hepatitis. In children, the most frequent causes arebiliary atresia, which often requires a liver transplant.

Q I think I’ve heard of other forms of hepatitis aside from A, B, and C. Are there other kinds of hepatitis?

A There are various other viruses known to cause liver disease: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, which vary in their severity and characteristics.

Hepatitis C can lead to serious, permanent liver damage and, in many cases, death.

Hepatitis A: Is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A can affect anyone. In the United States, hepatitis A can occur in situations ranging from isolated cases of disease to widespread epidemics due to contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B: Is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called the hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. HBV is transmitted by body fluids and blood.

Hepatitis C: Is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have the disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.

Hepatitis D: Is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV), a defective virus that needs the hepatitis B virus to exist. (HDV) is found in the blood of persons infected with the virus.

Hepatitis E:Is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmitted in much the same way as the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis E, however, does not occur often in the United States.

Q I’ve heard of liver disease. What is it and how can I learn more about it?

A There are many liver diseases. Below is a list of websites related to different liver diseases, where you can learn details about transmission, testing, treatments, and more:

Lagille Syndrome Alliance

http://www.alagille.org

Alpha 1 Association

http://www.alpha1.org

Alpha 1 Foundation

http://www.alphaone.org

AlphaNet

http://www.alphanet.org

American Hemochromatosis Society

http://www.americanhs.org

Canadian Hemochromatosis Society

http://home.istar.ca/~chcts

Chronic Autoimmune Liver Disease Support Group

http://hometown.aol.com/pbcers/liverdis.htm

Gilbert’s Web

http://www.gilbertsweb.co.uk

Hemochromatosis Foundation

http://www.hemochromatosis.org

Iron Disorders Institute

http://www.irondisorders.org

Iron Overload Diseases Association

http://www.ironoverload.org

Liver Cancer Care

http://www.hopeforlivercancer.com

Liver Cancer Network

http://www.livercancer.com

Liver Disease Research Branch, NIDDK

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/divisions/ddn/ldrb.htm

LiverDisease.com – Homepage of Dr. Melissa Palmer

http://www.liverdisease.com

LiverTumor.Org

http://www.livertumor.org

Mayo Clinic Rochester – Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

http://www.mayo.edu/int-med/gi/mc2483/mc2483.htm

National Institutes of Health – CancerNet

http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/cancer_type/liver

Sarcoidosis Awareness Network

http://www.sarcoidosisawareness.org

UPMC Center for Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload

Disorders

http://www.upmc.edu/hemochromatosis

Wilson’s Disease Association

http://www.wilsonsdisease.org

As with all American Liver Foundation materials, the information contained in these FAQ sheets is provided for information only. This information does not constitute medical advice and it should not be relied upon as such. The American Liver Foundation does not engage in the practice of medicine.

The American Liver Foundation, under no circumstances, recommends particular treatments for specific individuals and, in all cases, recommends that you consult your physician before pursuing any course of treatment.