The liver is a vital organ sitting in the upper right part of the abdomen, just under the bottom part of the right rib cage. It is constantly working day and night filtering out wastes and toxins from the blood, processing and controlling the levels of different nutrients among various other activities. As with any part of the body, the liver is prone to many forms of injury and diseases. Despite its remarkable capacity to regenerate when injured, some liver diseases cause permanent damage and is ongoing, eventually leading to liver failure.
What is liver disease?
Liver disease is a broad term used to describe any type of injury to or disease of the liver. Some are acute meaning that it lasts for a short period of time and the liver then recovers. Other diseases are chronic meaning that it is ongoing and can eventually lead to liver failure if it is progressive. There are different types of liver diseases which may be due to a wide range of causes. Liver disease can be fatal depending on the type of disease, how well it can be treated and managed or any other underlying problems which can complicate it.
What is Viral Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is the term for inflammation of the liver. It is caused either by an infection or due to some non-infectious conditions. There are different types of microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria, which may damage the liver and result in hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver which is caused by a virus. There are a number of types of viral hepatitis which are due to the difference in the structure and characteristics of these viruses.
Gallstones are small solid particles that are either found within the gallbladder or the bile ducts which drain bile out of the liver and gallbladder. Most gallstones are cholesterol stones and either dissolve in the bladder or pass out with no symptoms. However, if the stone lodges in the duct, it can cause severe pain and lead to a number of conditions like jaundice.
