5 Causes of Liver Damage You Must Know

The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body. One of its major functions is filtering waste products and toxins from your blood. It makes the liver susceptible to all kinds of damage. Severe liver damage could lead to liver failure, which can only be cured by a liver transplant. More than 100 million people in the U.S. have some form of liver disease. Here are some possible causes of liver damage.

Infection

Virus infection is the most common cause of liver diseases like hepatitis (an inflammation of the liver) and liver cancer. Hepatitis virus is the main culprit. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. In particular, hepatitis B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people. They are also the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Hepatic parasite is another reason for liver damage. Due to climate change and globalization, this incidence is increasing. Parasites affecting the liver constitute a large family: roundworms, tapeworms, Entamoeba histolytica and liver flukes. Parasites can cause liver abscess, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure. They are mostly spread through ingestion of contaminated food or water. Parasite infections are more common in underdeveloped areas.

Alcohol

The liver breaks down most of the alcohol you drink. This process will generate a toxic compound called acetaldehyde which causes significant damage to the liver. Alcohol abuse will increase the liver's burden and lead to serious liver disease, including alcoholic fatty liver and chronic hepatitis. Fat and inflammation in the liver lead to scarring. Severe scarring is called cirrhosis. Scar tissue replaces healthy cells, making the liver unable to work properly.

Obesity

Overweight, obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol levels can induce nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Fat deals as severe damage to the liver as alcohol does. Extra fat cells build up in your liver, leading to a liver more likely to develop inflammation. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease improves the risk of developing liver cirrhosis, which can lead to liver failure and cancer.

Toxins

Because of the liver's function of detoxifying the blood, any intake of toxins is possible to harm the liver cells directly and lead to liver damage. Different types of toxins come from a wide range of sources, such as drugs, pesticides, cleaners and other chemicals. For example, an overdose of acetaminophen, a commonly used antipyretic, can damage your liver or lead to failure.

Though herbs and supplements provide beneficial minerals and vitamins for your body, they may be associated with liver damage. Scientists discovered that twenty percent of liver damage in the U.S. is caused by herbs. Aloe vera, black cohosh, cascara content may cause toxic liver disease. Vitamin A and Niacin overdose can cause severe liver injury.

Family History

TIf you or your family member has had liver disease, you may be at a higher risk of developing liver conditions. For instance, hepatitis B or C and hemochromatosis increase the risk of liver cancer. You should also keep an eye out for symptoms if your close relative has had a genetic liver disease, including hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, or alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.