Chronic Liver Disease Pune in PCMC - Dr. Sharan Narute
Chronic Liver Disease
Chronic liver disease refers to progressive liver damage and dysfunction that persist over time, leading to structural changes in the liver and impaired liver function. It encompasses a wide range of liver conditions, including viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, NAFLD/NASH, autoimmune hepatitis, and genetic liver diseases.
Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a progressive deterioration of liver functions for more than six months, which includes synthesis of clotting factors, other proteins, detoxification of harmful products of metabolism, and excretion of bile.
Causes
Chronic liver disease can result from chronic viral infections (hepatitis B, hepatitis C), excessive alcohol consumption, metabolic disorders (NAFLD/NASH, hemochromatosis), autoimmune diseases (autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis), and genetic factors (Wilson’s disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency).
Symptoms
Symptoms of chronic liver disease can be nonspecific and vary depending on the underlying cause and stage of the disease. Common symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, easy bruising or bleeding, and weight loss.
Treatment
Treatment of chronic liver disease aims to slow disease progression, manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve quality of life. Treatment strategies vary depending on the underlying cause but may include lifestyle modifications (e.g., alcohol cessation, weight loss), medications (e.g., antiviral therapy for hepatitis B or C), dietary changes, and, in some cases, liver transplantation. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for optimizing outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease.