What is the liver? What are its functions?
Liver is one of the vital organs of the body that sits on the right side of the stomach. It is reddish-brown, rubbery organ that is well protected beneath the rib cage. The liver is the largest internal organ in the body and is responsible for many critical functions within the body. Damaged or diseased liver results in the loss of those functions and significant damage to the body. Usually, more than 75% or three quarters of liver tissue needs to be affected before a decrease in function occurs.
The two large sections of the liver, called as right and left lobe, along with pancreas and gallbladder help to digest, absorb and process food. Liver secretes bile which is essential for digestion and makes protein which is essential for clotting and other functions. The blood coming from the digestive tract reaches liver for removing toxins and metabolizing drugs before it is supplied to the body.
What are the stages of liver diseases?
There are several conditions that are diagnosed with liver disease. However, the damage to the liver follows a consistent pattern from the initial stages to advanced stages of the disease.
Stage 1 – Inflammation: Irrespective of the cause of the liver disease, the liver and the liver ducts get inflamed (swollen, reddened) causing abdominal pain. If left untreated, inflammation can cause further damage to the tissues. Inflammation of liver is often treated completely.
Stage 2 – Fibrosis: In many cases, liver diseases may not be diagnosed until stage 2. Fibrosis of liver is marked by scarring in the tissues which may affect blood flow to liver and liver functions. With treatment, the scarring is healed and further damage is prevented.