<unk>  has many possible causes, and more than one cause may be present. History taking is of real importance in trying to determine the most likely cause. Globally, 57% of<unk>  is attributable to either hepatitis B (30%) or hepatitis C (27%). Alcohol use disorder is another major cause, accounting for about 20-40% of the cases. Common causes Hepatitis C Viral Particles and the Liver * Alcoholic liver disease (ALD, or alcoholic<unk>  develops for 10–20% of individuals who drink heavily for a decade or more. Alcohol seems to injure the liver by blocking the normal metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. This injury happens through the formation of acetaldehyde from alcohol. Acetaldehyde is reactive and leads to the accumulation of other reactive products in the liver. People with ALD may also have concurrent alcoholic hepatitis. Associated symptoms are fever, hepatomegaly, jaundice, and anorexia. AST and ALT blood levels are both elevated, but at less than 300 IU/liter, with an AST:ALT ratio > 2.0, a value rarely seen in other liver diseases. In the United States, 40% of<unk> -related deaths are due to alcohol. * In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), fat builds up in the liver and eventually causes scar tissue. This type of disorder can be caused by obesity (40% of cases), diabetes, malnutrition, coronary artery disease, and steroids. Though similar in signs to alcoholic liver disease, no history of notable alcohol use is found. Blood tests and medical imaging are used to diagnose NAFLD and NASH, and sometimes a liver biopsy is needed. * Chronic hepatitis C, infection with the hepatitis C virus, causes inflammation of the liver and a variable grade of damage to the organ. Over several decades, this inflammation and damage can lead to<unk> . Among patients with chronic hepatitis C, 20–30% develop<unk> .<unk>  caused by hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease are the most common reasons for liver transplant. * Chronic hepatitis B causes liver inflammation and injury that over several decades can lead to<unk> . Hepatitis D is dependent on the presence of hepatitis B and accelerates<unk>  in co-infection. Less common causes * In primary biliary cholangitis (previously known as primary biliary<unk> , the bile ducts become damaged by an autoimmune process. This leads to liver damage. Patients may have no symptoms. While other people could present with fatigue, pruritus, or skin hyperpigmentation. The liver is typically enlarged which is referred to as hepatomegaly. Rises in alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and bilirubin levels occur. Patients are usually positive for anti-mitochondrial antibodies. * Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a disorder of the bile ducts that presents with pruritus, steatorrhea, fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, and metabolic bone disease. A strong association with inflammatory bowel disease is seen, especially ulcerative colitis. * Autoimmune hepatitis is caused by an attack of the liver by lymphocytes. This causes inflammation and eventually scarring as well as<unk> . Findings include elevations in serum globulins, especially gamma globulins. * Hereditary hemochromatosis usually presents with skin hyperpigmentation, diabetes mellitus, pseudogout, or cardiomyopathy, All of these are due to signs of iron overload. Family history of<unk>  is common as well. * Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by low ceruloplasmin in the blood and increased copper of the liver. Copper in the urine is also elevated. Patients may also have Kayser-Fleischer rings in the cornea and altered mental status. * Indian childhood<unk>  is a form of neonatal cholestasis characterized by deposition of copper in the liver * Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder of low levels of the enzyme alpha 1—antitrypsin * Cardiac<unk>  is due to chronic right-sided heart failure, which leads to liver congestion * Galactosemia * Glycogen storage disease type IV * Cystic fibrosis * Hepatotoxic drugs or toxins, such as acetaminophen, methotrexate, or amiodarone
Cirrhosis
Terry's nails
Hepatitis
Nephrotic syndrome  Nephrotic syndrome  1
Fatty liver disease
Alcoholic liver disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Chronic liver disease