Common Characteristics of Liver Diseases

What are the common symptoms of liver disease?
When a liver disease (hepatic or liver disease) is diagnosed, the doctor sees the patient's symptoms and perform a physical exam. In addition, the doctor may order a liver biopsy, tests of liver function, ultrasound, computed tomography (a CT) and either a study of magnetic resonance imaging (the acronym is MRI) .

Here are some common symptoms of liver disease, followed by a brief description are listed:

• Jaundice.
• Cholestasis.
• Enlarged liver.
• Portal hypertension.
• Esophageal varices.
• Ascites.
• Liver encephalopathy.
• Liver failure.    

What is jaundice?

Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to bilirubin (bile pigmentation) in the bloodstream. Urine is usually dark because of the bilirubin excreted through the kidneys. High levels of bilirubin may be attributed to inflammation, or other abnormalities of the liver cells, or blockage of the bile ducts. Sometimes jaundice is caused by the breakdown of a large number of red blood cells, which can occur in newborns. Jaundice is usually the first sign, and sometimes the only, of a liver disease.

What is cholestasis?

Cholestasis is reduced or stopped bile flow. "Chole" refers to bile and "stasis" means "keeping at the same level." Bile flow may be blocked inside the liver, outside the liver or in both places. Symptoms may include:

• Jaundice: yellowing of the skin and eyes.
• Dark urine.
• Colored stools.
• Bone loss.
• Bleeding easy.
• Itching.
• Small blood vessels visible in the form of spider in the skin.
• Enlarged spleen.
• Ascites fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.
• Chills.
• Pain in the biliary tract or pancreas.
• Enlarged gallbladder.
• Other causes of cholestasis include the following:
• 
  
• Hepatitis.
• Liver disease induced by alcohol.
• Primary biliary cirrhosis.
• Effects of drugs.
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy.
• A stone in the bile duct.
• Narrowing of the bile duct.
• Bile duct cancer.
• Pancreatic cancer.
• Inflammation of the pancreas.

What is liver enlargement?

Liver enlargement is usually an indicator of liver disease, but usually no symptoms associated with a slightly enlarged liver (hepatomegaly). Symptoms of a grossly enlarged liver include abdominal discomfort or "feeling full."

What is portal hypertension?

Portal hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the portal vein that brings blood to the liver from the intestine. Portal hypertension may be due to increased portal pressure blood vessels or resistance to blood flow through the liver. Portal hypertension can lead to the growth of new blood vessels (called collateral) blood flow connecting the intestine to the general circulation, bypassing the liver. When this occurs, the substances which are normally removed by the liver into the general circulation. Symptoms of portal hypertension may include:

• Ascites - fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.
• Bleeding from varicose veins at the lower end of the esophagus and the stomach lining.

What are esophageal varices?

Esophageal varices are dilated blood vessels in the walls of the lower esophagus who have a tendency to bleed. They can occur in individuals with severe liver disease. A diseased liver can cause portal hypertension, which is the increase in blood pressure in the portal vein. The portal vein is one that supplies blood to the liver. Over time, this pressure causes the growth of blood vessels, called collateral blood vessels. These vessels act as channels to divert blood pressure. The extra pressure in these vessels causes them to dilate and become tortuous. These vessels can eventually reach the lower esophagus and stomach and prone to rupture. The rupture can lead to significant loss of blood through vomiting or by passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of esophageal varices may include:

• Vomiting blood painlessly.
• Anemia - low red blood cell count.

What is ascites?

Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity caused by leakage of fluid from the surface of the liver and intestine. Ascites due to liver disease usually accompanies other features of liver disease and portal hypertension. Symptoms of ascites may include a distended abdominal cavity, causing discomfort and shortness of breath. Other causes of ascites may include the following:

• Cirrhosis of the liver (especially cirrhosis caused by alcoholism).
• Alcoholic hepatitis.
• Chronic hepatitis.
• Obstruction of the hepatic vein.

Ascites can also be caused by non-hepatic disorders.

What is liver encephalopathy?

Liver encephalopathy is the deterioration of brain function due to the accumulation in the blood of toxic substances that are normally removed by the liver. Encephalopathy is also called portal-systemic encephalopathy, liver encephalopathy, or hepatic coma. Symptoms may include:

• Impaired consciousness.
• Changes in logical thinking, personality and behavior.
• Mood changes.
• Lack of common sense.
• Drowsiness.
• Confusion.
• Speech and slow motion.
• Disorientation.
• Unconsciousness.
• Coma.

What is liver failure?

Liver failure is severe deterioration of liver function. Liver failure occurs when a large portion of the liver is damaged due to any type of liver disorder. Symptoms may include:

• Jaundice: yellowing of the skin and eyes.
• Tendency to bruise or bleed easily.
• Ascites fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.
• Altered brain function.
• Poor general health.
• Fatigue.
• Weakness.
• Nausea.
• Loss of appetite.