Liver Disease

Liver is the biggest organ in the human body. That fact can be an indication of its importance to normal healthy life. The liver is involved in all possible metabolic changes of the substances in the organism. Sometimes the liver is called the chemical factory of the organism. Liver cells a re called hepatocytes have a wide variety of functions and go in them complex biochemical reactions are performed that allow our body to function properly. Due to such wide functions there is the same number of diseases that can alter these functions in many ways.

One of the most common and very serious disease that affects the liver is hepatitis. It is a gastroenterological disease and one of its symptoms is liver inflammation. Liver inflammation is characterized by joint pain, abdominal pain, malaise, vomiting, dark urine, loss of appetite, enlarged liver, jaundice. Chronic inflammation can express differently and only be diagnosed when cirrhosis or longstanding inflammation changes have occurred.

Hepatitis is caused by the three following viruses:

• Hepatitis A virus – is transmitted via orofecal route. Acute inflammation without a chronic stage.
• Hepatitis B virus – is transmitted via blood transfusions, tattoo, sexual contact, transplacentary route. Can develop both acute and chronic hepatitis.
• Hepatitis C virus – is transmitted through blood and can develop chronic hepatitis that leads to severe cirrhosis if not treated in time. Can remain somnolent or asymptomatic for a period of 10-20 years.