The liver is the second largest organ in the human body, and it performs some very important tasks. One of those tasks is recycling hemoglobin and other chemicals for later use. When the liver is damaged, a byproduct of the recycling process builds up in the blood. A number of conditions, each with a different treatment, lead to liver damage.
Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a chemical created from the breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is processed in the liver into a less toxic form and then excreted into the small intestine in the form of bile. Bile helps in the absorption of fat. When the liver is unable to excrete bilirubin because of disease, the concentration of bilirubin in the blood rises.
Hyperbilirubinemia
High concentrations of bilirubin in blood, known as hyperbilirubinemia, result from liver damage. Bilirubin at high concentrations may cause kernicterus, a condition in which brain damage results. A person with hyperbilirubinemia has yellowing of the skin, known as jaundice, since bilirubin is yellow. As the condition gets worse, disorientation and other neurological symptoms ensue. Properly diagnosing the cause of hyperbilirubinemia is important in treatment.
Hepatic Toxicity
One form of liver damage is hepatic toxicity. The most common kind of liver toxicity results from alcohol use. While the liver is able to repair damage from excess consumption of alcohol, the repairs can only be performed to a certain extent. Scar tissue eventually destroys the liver ability to function, a condition called cirrhosis. Other chemicals such as medications and chemical solvents also cause hepatic toxicity.
Viral Infections
Infection with hepatitis viruses also cause liver damage. Hepatitis A, which is acquired through the consumption of contaminated food or water, causes short term jaundice while the liver gets over the infection. Hepatitis B is a blood-borne viral infection which may lead to liver damage in some people. Hepatitis C is also a blood-borne viral infection, and it is a known cause of liver cirrhosis.
Neonatal Jaundice
According to the University of Virginia Health System, up to 60 percent of newborns may develop hyperbilirubinemia, known as neonatal jaundice, because their livers are not fully developed. In the womb, the placenta performs the function of the liver in getting rid of excess bilirubin. As the newborn's liver takes over, the jaundice resolves.
Treatments
Treatment of hepatic toxicity depends on the level of toxicity. Mild cases resolve on their own while severe cases may require a liver transplant. Hepatitis A resolves on its own, usually without complications. Hepatitis B and C may be treated with antiviral medication. However, they sometimes develop into cirrhosis that requires a liver transplant. Finally, neonatal jaundice is treated with light therapy while the liver begins to function on its own. This is because white light helps make bilirubin water-soluble for excretion through the kidneys.
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