The liver is a solid organ which is located on the right side of the body. It consists of two lobes. The two lobes of the liver are further divided into many segments which allow for surgeries to be carried out adequately. The liver receives two major sources of blood supply, one from a vein and the other from the artery. The portal vein delivers nutrient rich blood while the hepatic artery delivers oxygenated blood.
The liver is an essential organ which has multiple functions which involve, purifying blood, regulating clotting factors, producing bile, etc.

DISORDERS OF THE LIVER
1. Infections of the liver – viral infections like hepatitis, bacterial infections like liver abscesses, parisitic infections like hydatid cyst
2. Genetic disorders
3. Cancers of the liver
4. Inflammatory disorders of liver
5. Alcoholic liver disease
6. Fatty liver disease
7. Immune system disorders eg. autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis

SYMPTOMS OF LIVER DISEASE
Fatigue, tiredness
Abdominal pain
Swelling of feet
Yellowish discoloration of eyes or skin (jaundice)
Itchy skin
Dark colored urine
Clay colored stools
Reduced Appetite

STAGES OF LIVER FAILURE
Fatty liver -> Hepatitis -> Fibrosis – > Cirrhosis -> Liver Failure

DIAGNOSIS OF LIVER DISEASE
There are various tests available to assess the liver.
Your doctor will advice the most appropriate tests based on your condition
1. Blood tests – Various blood tests like liver function tests help to assess the functioning of the liver. This is a routine test in many health check up packages and can give insight whether any further testing is needed. A Coagulation profile in addition with a complete blood count gives added information.
2. Imaging – There are various imaging modalities to assess the liver. Sonography is one of the simplest test which is done for identifying fatty liver, cysts, tumours etc. A CT scan helps further characterize the abnormalities found on sonography and may be ordered based on sonography findings.
Sometimes an MRI may also be needed to better characterize the liver.
3. Elastography – This is a special type of imaging using either ultrasound or MRI. It is mainly asked in order to evaluate the level of fat deposition and fibrosis in the liver
4. Liver Biopsy – Depending on your condition in some cases a liver biopsy may be asked for to adequately evaluate liver conditions.

TREATMENT
The treatment of liver disorders varies based on the type of disorder, its severity and the patients condition.
Treatment varies from just lifestyle changes in some, to medication to manage the disorders. Some patients require surgery to treat their condition while in severe cases a liver transplant may be warranted.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY LIVER
1. Eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat and containing vegetables, beans sprouts
2. Limit intake of alcohol and fruit juices
3. Ensure daily physical activity
4. Maintain healthy weight
5. Avoid over the counter medication
6. Manage other disorders like diabetes and hypertension
7. Practice safe sex
8. Ensure you are vaccinated against hepatitis A and B