Liver Disease: Causes, Types, and Management Guide

When talking about Liver Disease, a broad term for any condition that damages the liver. Also known as hepatic disease, it can stem from infections, lifestyle choices, or medicines. Understanding it starts with knowing the key players that affect liver health.

One major player is Hepatitis, inflammation of the liver usually caused by viruses, alcohol, or drugs. Another is Cirrhosis, the scarring stage that follows long‑term liver injury. A newer, increasingly common form is Non‑Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), fat buildup in the liver linked to obesity and insulin resistance. All three share a need for regular Liver Function Tests, blood work that checks enzymes, protein levels, and bilirubin to track damage and guide treatment.

How Medications Influence Liver Health

Many drugs can trigger Medication‑Induced Liver Injury, a reversible or permanent harm caused by prescription or over‑the‑counter medicines. Common culprits include certain antidepressants, NSAIDs, and immunosuppressants that appear in our article collection. When a medication strains the liver, it can accelerate hepatitis progression or push a fatty liver toward cirrhosis. That’s why doctors often order liver function tests before starting or changing a treatment plan.

Putting these pieces together, liver disease encompasses hepatitis, cirrhosis, and NAFLD, requires regular liver function tests, and is heavily influenced by medication‑induced injury. Below you’ll find practical guides, drug comparisons, and lifestyle tips that address each of these angles, helping you manage liver health from diagnosis to daily care.