Chronic liver disease refers to disease of the liver which had lasted over a
period of 6 months and consists of a wide range of liver pathologies. Acute
liver disease may develop over days or weeks. Both
chronic and acute liver disease can lead to liver failure. The main causes of
liver failure are:
· Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
· Different types of viral
infections such as hepatitis B and C, yellow fever, or cytomegalovirus.
· Intakes of alcohol, drugs
and toxic substances that may damage the liver
· Metabolic problems such as
fatty liver or Wilson's Disease.
· Autoimmune disorders.
Most patients remain asymptomatic until signs and symptoms appear as a
consequence of decompensation
Gynecomastia, or enlargement of men
breast can be a normal physiological phenomenon or a sign of an underlying cause
as a liver disease.
Abdominal pain may occur in the right
upper quadrant of the abdomen.
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