Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGeneticsLifestyle Risk FactorsVirusesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Genetics
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Viruses
Frequently Asked Questions
Yourliveris one of the largest organs in your body.It plays the important role of removing toxins from your body. It also helps you digest food and stores sugar that the body will later use for energy.
There are many different types ofliver disease, includingcirrhosis,hepatitis, andcancer. The causes include genetic risk factors; exposure to toxins, including drugs and alcohol; and other health factors.
This article discusses the causes of liver disease and the risk factors that might increase your chances of developing liver disease.
Alona Siniehina / Getty Images
Scientists are still working to understand exactly how genes play a role in liver disease. However, it seems that genetics explain why some people develop liver disease and other people don’t, even when they have or don’t have other risk factors.
If you have a parent or sibling who has genetic liver disease, talk to your healthcare provider. You may want to avoid alcohol and get an annualliver enzyme testto check the health of your liver.
Hemochromatosis
Hereditaryhemochromatosisis a condition that causes the body to build up too much iron, which is toxic to the liver. Hemochromatosis is linked to changes in the HFE gene.If you inherit an affected gene from each of your parents, you will have hereditary hemochromatosis.
The rates of hereditary hemochromatosis are highest among Whites, where about 1 in 300 people have the disease. Many people don’t know they have hereditary hemochromatosis, but about 1 in 10 men with the condition will develop severe liver disease.If you have a family history of liver disease, you can talk to your healthcare provider about genetic testing that could tell you whether you have hereditary hemochromatosis.
Wilson’s Disease
Wilson’s diseaseis a genetic condition that causes copper to build up in the body. That in turn can lead to liver diseases likehepatitisandcirrhosis. Wilson’s disease is very rare, affecting 1 in 30,000 people. However, if you have a family history of the illness you should talk to your healthcare team about your risk.
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, or AAT deficiency, occurs when people don’t have an important protein. The absence of the protein can affect liver function and lead to liver disease as well as lung diseases including emphysema.
Other Genetic Liver Diseases
Genetics are a risk factor even for liver diseases that have environmental causes. For example, researchers believe that some heavy drinkers are genetically predisposed to liver disease, while others are not.
Lifestyle factors play a large role in liver disease. The following lifestyle risk factors can become causes of liver disease, especially if you’re already genetically predisposed to liver disease.
Alcohol Use
The liver breaks down alcohol. But when you drink more than it can process, alcohol begins to damage the liver.This leads tofatty liver disease, where fat builds up in the liver, causing it to become inflamed. Eventually, fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis. In fact, alcohol use is the leading cause of cirrhosis.The more you drink and the longer amount of time you use alcohol, the higher your risk for liver disease.
Alcohol use can cause liver diseases including:
Just four drinks a day for males and two drinks a day for females can increase your risk of liver disease.
Exposure to Toxins
Just like the liver has to clear away alcohol, it clears away other toxins from your body. But when you’re exposed to high levels of toxins like pesticides, they can damage your liver and cause liver disease. To reduce your exposure to toxins:
Supplements
Obesity
Having an unhealthy weight can increase your risk for health conditions, includingdiabetesandhigh cholesterol. These in turn increase your risk ofnonalcoholic fatty liver disease. With this condition, fats build up in the liver, increasing your risk of cirrhosis and cancer. It’s very common, affecting 20% to 40% of the population in the United States.
If you are concerned about your weight and have other risk factors like diabetes or high cholesterol, talk to your healthcare provider about your liver health and whether having an annual liver enzyme test is right for you.
If you have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, you may be able to reverse the condition with dietary changes like decreasing your intake of processed foods and increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
Practicing safer sex, avoiding drugs, and getting vaccinated can reduce your risk of hepatitis.
Summary
Liver disease is a growing problem facing Americans. Some people are at increased risk for liver disease because of their genetics. Other causes of liver disease include drinking too much, health conditions like diabetes, and taking too many supplements. If you are concerned about your liver health or if you have a parent or sibling with liver disease, talk with your healthcare provider. Early intervention can help reverse liver disease.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, researchers believe there’s a strong genetic component to liver disease. However, lifestyle factors including how much you drink also play an important role in liver disease.Alcohol intake is one cause of liver disease. However, it’s possible to develop liver disease even if you don’t drink.Swelling of the liver is one of the first signs of liver disease. It can cause pain in the upper right abdomen. You may notice othersigns, including jaundice, nausea, and bloating.Learn MoreSigns of Liver Disease
Yes, researchers believe there’s a strong genetic component to liver disease. However, lifestyle factors including how much you drink also play an important role in liver disease.
Alcohol intake is one cause of liver disease. However, it’s possible to develop liver disease even if you don’t drink.
Swelling of the liver is one of the first signs of liver disease. It can cause pain in the upper right abdomen. You may notice othersigns, including jaundice, nausea, and bloating.Learn MoreSigns of Liver Disease
Swelling of the liver is one of the first signs of liver disease. It can cause pain in the upper right abdomen. You may notice othersigns, including jaundice, nausea, and bloating.
Learn MoreSigns of Liver Disease
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Liver Diseases.Johns Hopkins Medicine.5 reasons you may be at risk for liver disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hereditary hemochromatosis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Liver disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Alcoholic liver disease.American Cancer Society.Liver cancer risk factors.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Liver Diseases.Johns Hopkins Medicine.5 reasons you may be at risk for liver disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hereditary hemochromatosis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Liver disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Alcoholic liver disease.American Cancer Society.Liver cancer risk factors.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Liver Diseases.Johns Hopkins Medicine.5 reasons you may be at risk for liver disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hereditary hemochromatosis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Liver disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Alcoholic liver disease.American Cancer Society.Liver cancer risk factors.
MedlinePlus.Liver Diseases.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.5 reasons you may be at risk for liver disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hereditary hemochromatosis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Liver disease.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Alcoholic liver disease.
American Cancer Society.Liver cancer risk factors.
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