Alcoholic Liver Disease
An acute or chronic inflammation of the liver induced by drinking excessive alcohol.
Bacteremia
The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.
Cholangitis
Inflammation of the bile ducts.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions due to chronic injury. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, partially blocking the flow of blood through the liver.
Congenital
A condition that is present at birth. It may be the result of either heredity or environmental factors.
Elevated Liver Enzyme
A liver enzyme is a protein that helps to speed up a chemical reaction in the liver. When the liver is injured, these enzyme levels can be higher than normal.
Fatty Liver
A build-up of excess fat in liver cells
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation of the liver can result from infection, from exposure to alcohol, certain medications, chemicals, or poisons, or from a disorder of the immune system.
Hepatitis A
An inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A is transmitted when fecal matter from someone who has the disease is ingested, either directly or via food or water contaminated with the fecal matter.
Hepatitis B
An inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and infected bodily fluids. It is spread through unprotected sex; through sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person; through living in a household with an infected person; from an infected mother to her newborn child at birth; via unsterilized needles, including tattoo or piercing needles; through sharing IV drug needles.
Hepatitis C
An inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is transmitted primarily through direct exposure to infected blood through an opening in the skin or mucous membrane. The hepatitis C virus infects the liver, causing inflammation that results in damage to liver tissue.
Hepatitis D
An inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Hepatitis D can only occur along with hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis E
An inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is transmitted when fecal matter from someone who has the disease is ingested, either directly or via food or water contaminated with the fecal matter. It is uncommon in the United States.
Interferon
A naturally occurring substance that helps the body protect itself from foreign invaders, Interferon is a small protein that boosts the immune system. Interferon is so named because of its ability to interfere with virus reproduction. The goal of interferon therapy is to eradicate a virus from an infected person. Manufactured interferon is FDA-approved for the treatment of viral hepatitis.
Jaundice
Jaundice is the yellowish staining of the skin and sclerae (the whites of the eyes) that is caused by high levels in blood of the chemical bilirubin. The color of the skin and sclerae vary depending on the level of bilirubin. When the bilirubin level is mildly elevated, they are yellowish. When the bilirubin level is high, they tend to be brown.
Liver
The liver is one of the largest and most important organs in your body. It stores vitamins, sugars, fats, and other nutrients from the food you eat. It builds chemicals that your body needs to stay healthy, aids digestion, breaks down harmful substances like alcohol and other toxic (poisonous) chemicals, and removes waste products from your blood.
Liver Cancer
Liver cancer or hepatic cancer is a cancer which starts in the liver. Cancer of the liver can result from diseases such as hepatitis B and C, alcohol abuse, exposure to chemicals, or birth defects. Cancer can also originate in another organ and migrate to the liver.
Sepsis
A life-threatening illness caused by overwhelming infection of the bloodstream by toxin-producing bacteria. Symptoms may include fever, chills, malaise , low blood pressure, and mental status changes. A quick diagnosis can be crucial as sepsis can be life-threatening, requiring urgent care. Treatment depends on the type of infection, but usually begins with antibiotics or similar medications. Also known as septicemia. A lay term for sepsis is blood poisoning
