As I mentioned in the previous post, the liver is a very resilient organ. It can repair itself even if it has incurred a lot of damages. However, this resilient nature does not mean that it is immune to destruction. In fact, the liver is prone to specific diseases that can arise if it is not taken care of properly. Let’s take a look at some of the most common liver problems.

Fatty liver
No, I am not talking about the French delicacy foie gras, although that is also translated directly as fatty liver. Fatty liver disease in humans is due to too much alcohol consumption. What happens is that the liver swells with fat. If this fat further swells, it can cause alcohol hepatitis or cirrhosis. The former is reversible and can be dealt with with a lifestyle change while the latter is irreversible.

Viral hepatitis
There are three kinds of viral hepatitis – A, B, and C. All of these types are causes of inflammation of the liver. They can be prevented with the proper vaccines.

Signs of Possible Liver Problems
There are a variety of signs that may indicate problems with the liver.

These include:
• Discolored skin and eyes that appear yellowish
• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Itchy skin that doesn’t seem to go away
• Dark urine color
• Pale stool color
• Bloody or tar-colored stool
• Chronic fatigue
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite

In the next post, let us look into ways you can take care of your liver.