Asian Liver Health Initiative

Common causes of liver disease include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, fatty liver, and heavy alcohol use. Autoimmune hepatitis, a condition in which the immune system turns against the liver is also a common cause of liver disease. These liver diseases can cause continued inflammation in the liver if not treated.

Oftentimes people do not experience symptoms of early liver disease. In late stages of disease, people may notice jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, swelling of the abdomen and legs, confusion, and bleeding from the veins in the esophagus or stomach.

Fibrosis in the liver is scar tissue that has formed as a result of longstanding inflammation due to different causes of liver disease (see question 1). There are 4 stages of fibrosis; ranging from stage 1 (mild/minimal) to stage 4 (severe). Stage 4 fibrosis is cirrhosis.

There are different ways to prevent liver disease and to keep your liver healthy.

• Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are diagnosed with blood tests. If you have not been tested, ask your doctor if you should be.
• There is a vaccine available for hepatitis B. If you are not immunized against hepatitis B or do not know your immunization status, ask your doctor for more information.
• If you have hepatitis C, there is treatment available to cure this virus. Ask your doctor about treatment options.
• Avoid excessive alcohol use, which is binge drinking and heavy drinking. Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that usually corresponds to 5 or more drinks on a single occasion for men or 4 or more drinks on a single occasion for women. Heavy drinking is defined by consuming than 15 drinks a week for men and more than 8 drinks a week for women.
• Obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of developing fatty liver. If you have any of these conditions, discuss treatment options with your doctor.