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Liver organs that are located just below the diaphragm (the separation layer of the thoracic and abdominal cavities) have important functions. His job is to filter blood to compensate for the harmful chemical content in the blood and produce bile to help the digestive process. Because of its function, this organ becomes very susceptible to various diseases that can cause liver damage.

This liver damage will have a bad effect on the body, especially if left too long. Because, liver damage can gradually become cirrhosis (hardening of the liver) which can trigger liver failure and liver cancer. Some things that can cause liver damage include:

1. Virus (Hepatitis B or C)

Hepatitis B and C viruses can be transmitted through the exchange of body fluids, such as blood and saliva. This virus only attacks the liver and causes damage to liver function. Symptoms in people who contract hepatitis B or C are not clearly visible and are only seen when the liver condition is chronic.

2. Consumption of alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption can damage liver function. Given that one of the organs of the liver is to stabilize the chemical content in the body, consuming too much alcohol will force this organ to work hard in breaking it down. Alcohol that cannot be decomposed is stored as fat in the liver. This fat accumulation inhibits liver function so that it leads to damage to liver function.

3. Smoking

Although nicotine in cigarettes has no benefit for the body, this substance will still be broken down by the liver. However, because it takes time to break down nicotine and hundreds of other substances contained in a cigarette, it will gradually accumulate in the heart and damage its function.

4. The accumulation of fat in the liver

Fat accumulation in the liver usually occurs in people who are overweight or obese. Excess fat in obese people is not only buried in the cells under the skin, but also in the liver. gradually this incident can cause swelling of the liver so that the liver becomes damaged.

5. Hereditary factors

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease when the patient's body cannot absorb iron perfectly. This iron that cannot be absorbed will be buried in the heart. Gradually this excessive buildup of iron can damage liver function. The hepatitis B virus can also be transmitted from mother to her child who is still in the womb.

Liver disease can be inherited (genetic) or caused by a variety of factors that damage the liver, such as viruses and alcohol use. Obesity is also associated with liver damage.

Over time, damage to the liver results in scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition.

Liver disease has many causes.

Infection

Parasites and viruses can infect the liver, causing inflammation that reduces liver function. The viruses that cause liver damage can be spread through blood or semen, contaminated food or water, or close contact with a person who is infected. The most common types of liver infection are hepatitis viruses, including:

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Immune system abnormality

Diseases in which your immune system attacks certain parts of your body (autoimmune) can affect your liver. Examples of autoimmune liver diseases include:

Autoimmune hepatitis

Primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Genetics

An abnormal gene inherited from one or both of your parents can cause various substances to build up in your liver, resulting in liver damage. Genetic liver diseases include:

Hemochromatosis

Hyperoxaluria and oxalosis

Wilson's disease

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Cancer and other growths

Examples include:

Liver cancer

Bile duct cancer

Liver adenoma

Other

Additional, common causes of liver disease include:

Chronic alcohol abuse

Fat accumulating in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)