Liver Diseases: Symptoms and Treatment
Reviewed by Liubov Mykhailivna Shendryk, Gastroenterologist – Doctor of the Highest Category, Candidate of Medical Sciences updated: 20 November 2025
Types of Liver Disease: Main Groups and Causes
The liver plays a role in detoxifying the body, digestion and metabolism, so liver diseases can have very different origins — from viral infections to fat accumulation in the organ’s tissue. Correctly identifying the disease group helps the doctor choose the best treatment approach and prevent the disease from progressing to more severe stages.
| Disease Group | Examples | Main Causes | Characteristic Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viral hepatitis | Hepatitis A, B, C | Viral infection, contact with blood | Can become chronic |
| Fatty liver disease | Steatosis, steatohepatitis | Excess weight, alcohol, metabolic disorders | Often asymptomatic in early stages |
| Toxic and drug-induced damage | Alcoholic hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury | Alcohol, long-term medication use | Related to dose and duration of exposure |
| Gallstone disease | Stones in the gallbladder and bile ducts | Cholesterol metabolism disorders, bile stasis | May cause colic |
| Cancerous conditions | Primary liver cancer, metastases | Chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis | Require comprehensive diagnostics |
Signs of Liver Disease That Can Occur
Common signs include: heaviness or dull pain in the right upper abdomen, a bitter taste in the mouth, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, itchy skin, increased fatigue and reduced appetite. In later stages, swelling, abdominal enlargement due to fluid accumulation, and spider-like blood vessels on the skin may appear. It’s important to understand that many of these symptoms are nonspecific and can accompany other conditions, so a final diagnosis is made only after examination.
How Liver Diseases Manifest at Different Stages
In the early stages, many liver diseases are asymptomatic — the organ has a large reserve capacity and compensates for damage for a long time. A moderate stage involves periodic discomfort, fatigue and abnormal blood test results. In later stages, when fibrosis or cirrhosis develops, symptoms become pronounced: jaundice, swelling, impaired blood clotting and signs of liver failure.
How Liver Diseases Are Diagnosed: Tests and Examinations
Diagnosis begins with laboratory tests — liver function tests (ALT, AST, bilirubin), viral hepatitis markers and clotting parameters. An abdominal ultrasound is also ordered to assess liver structure, gallstones or masses. If the diagnosis needs to be clarified, CT or MRI is used, and in complex cases, a liver biopsy may be performed.
How the Liver Is Treated Depending on the Diagnosis
The treatment approach depends on the cause of the disease. Viral hepatitis is treated with antiviral medication, fatty liver disease with lifestyle and diet changes, and toxic liver damage requires eliminating the harmful factor first. In gallstone disease, when stones cause recurring colic or inflammation, surgical treatment of gallstone disease is used, most often as laparoscopic cholecystectomy — a minimally invasive removal of the gallbladder.
When a liver tumor is found, the approach depends on its size and spread: in some cases, liver resection is performed to remove the affected part of the organ, while in cancerous cases, liver cancer removal may be needed, followed by monitoring and, if necessary, further therapy.
How to Support Liver Health and Prevent Complications
Prevention includes a balanced diet with limited fatty and fried food, moderate physical activity, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and caution with medications, especially without a doctor’s prescription. Regular preventive check-ups and monitoring of liver function help detect changes at an early stage, when treatment is most effective and complications can be avoided.
Was this article helpful?
Thank you for rating.
Still have questions?
Leave your details and a doctor will call you back.
