Liver Disease including Hepatitis B and C and liver cirrhosis
The liver has many important functions, including digesting your food and processing and distributing nutrients. There are many kinds of liver diseases and conditions. Some, like hepatitis, are caused by viruses. Others can be the result of drugs or drinking too much alcohol. Long-lasting injury or scar tissue in the liver can cause cirrhosis. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, can be one sign of liver disease.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). For most people, hepatitis B is short term, also called acute, and lasts less than six months. But for others, the infection becomes chronic, meaning it lasts more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis — a condition that permanently scars the liver.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It can cause both acute (short term) and chronic (long term) illness. It can be life-threatening.
Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood. This can happen through sharing needles or syringes, or from unsafe medical procedures such as blood transfusions with unscreened blood products.
Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is when scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. This stops the liver from working normally.
Cirrhosis is a long-term (chronic) liver disease. The damage to your liver builds up over time.
The liver is your body’s largest internal organ. It lies up under your ribs on the right side of your belly.
Planning and Prep
- Cooking Tips and Trends
- Snack and Meal Ideas
- Vegetarian and Special Diets