Liver Parenchymal Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

You might have heard about alcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 

Have you ever heard about liver parenchymal disease? 

According to the reports, the world is engulfed with 25% of liver parenchymal disease, and is set to increase, affecting the majority of the population residing in the Middle East and South America, 

Therefore, it is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of this disease, including who is at risk, how to prevent it, and the available treatment options. This knowledge can empower you to take proactive steps towards your liver health.

Liver parenchymal disease (LPD) indicates a range of liver conditions that can affect its functional tissue, known as Parenchyma. Also known as chronic liver disease, it can damage your liver tissue—the parenchyma. This liver parenchyma disease can lead to diffuse (widespread) changes, causing mild to severe infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, and more. 

Understanding Liver Parenchymal Disease in Detail 

As hinted above, liver parenchymal disease includes different types of liver conditions that affect its functional tissue. The root causes of these diseases are autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, viruses, or alcohol. 

The liver, a large organ located above your stomach and under your lungs and diaphragm, plays a vital role in your body's functioning. It supports macronutrient metabolism, immune function, digestion, and lipid and cholesterol balance. It also eliminates harmful substances from your body and produces bile to aid in waste removal. 

1. It supports macronutrient metabolism, immune function, digestion, and lipid and cholesterol balance. 
2. The liver eliminates harmful substances from your body. 
3. The liver also produces bile, assisting in removing material your kidneys haven’t removed. 

Also read: Grade 1 Fatty Liver Disease: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment Options

7 Main Causes of Liver Parenchymal Disease 

Although the causes of liver disease vary, alcohol is the main cause. Constant use of alcohol can form toxic substances. Various factors and conditions that can cause liver parenchymal disease include: 

• Viral infections. Hepatitis B and C infections can result in liver parenchymal disease. Hepatitis A can cause mild liver inflammation. 
• Alcohol consumption. Continuous use of alcohol can lead to alcoholic liver disease. It can also damage your liver parenchymal cells, resulting in alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis. 
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this condition, fat is accumulated in the liver but is not related to heavy alcohol use. This condition can become non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, causing inflammation and damaging your liver parenchyma. 
• Autoimmune conditions. Autoimmune hepatitis is an autoimmune liver condition that can cause redness, swelling, and liver damage. 
• Metabolic disorders such as hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease can result in liver damage and dysfunction. 
• Vascular disorders such as Budd Chiari Syndrome occur due to blood clotting in the liver’s veins, resulting in a damaged liver. 
• Other factors, such as chronic congestive heart failure, renal failure, and malnutrition, may contribute to liver parenchyma, affecting overall health and liver blood flow. 

9 Main Liver Parenchymal Disease Symptoms

The symptoms of liver parenchymal disease can vary. It depends on the severity of the disease. In the beginning, there may be few or no symptoms, but with the progression of the disease, symptoms may include: 

1. Exhaustion: You may feel completely exhausted and tired for a long time. 
2. Jaundice is the yellowing of the eyes and skin. The condition occurs when the liver can’t process bilirubin properly. 
3. Abdominal Discomfort: You may feel pain or discomfort on the upper right side of the abdomen, where the liver is located.
4. Edema: Fluid retention causes swelling or makes your legs and stomach bloated. 
5. Dark Urine and Light Stools result in improper bilirubin processing. 
6. Nausea and vomiting can also happen when your liver can’t eliminate toxins from the body. 
7. Itchy Skin: You may get itchy skin due to autoimmune liver disease, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and obstructive biliary disease. It may also occur when you have pancreatic cancer, hepatitis, or drug-induced liver disease. 
8. Simple Bruising is a symptom of advanced liver parenchymal disease, which occurs when the liver is unable to make enough clotting factors. 
9. Mind confusion: The severity of liver disease could cause Hepatic Encephalopathy, indicating toxic substances affect brain functions. 

How is Liver Parenchymal Disease Diagnosed?

The treatment for liver parenchymal disease depends on the diagnosis. Your healthcare provider may suggest lifestyle modifications, medicines, or liver transplantation surgery to manage the problem and improve health outcomes. 

• Blood tests: A doctor may perform a group of blood tests called liver function tests (LFTs) to diagnose liver disease and certain problems caused by gene changes. 
• Testing for imaging: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRIs can show liver damage. 
• Liver biopsy: A small portion of liver tissue could be taken for testing using a long needle. The laboratory will analyze this sample. 

Liver parenchymal disease treatment 

The treatment for a liver parenchymal disease completely depends on the diagnosis. Your healthcare provider may suggest lifestyle modifications, medicines, liver transplantation, or surgery to manage the problem and improve health outcomes. 

1. Lifestyle modifications

A chronic liver parenchymal disease may be treated with lifestyle modifications, including: 

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet in moderation. 
• Avoid eating processed and junk foods too much. They contain saturated fat and sugar, which can make you fat. 
• Take a lot of fluids to flush your system. 
• Avoid alcohol completely. 
• Manage a healthy body weight to help fight the disease. 
• Eat healthier fats found in fish, olive oil, and walnuts. 
• Avoid red meat. 

2. Medications

Antiviral medications may be suggested to lower the load of viruses that can damage the liver. Immunosuppressive drugs are usually prescribed to treat inflammation. 

3. Liver Transplantation

If needed, your healthcare provider may suggest liver transplantation. Choose a highly experienced and reputed doctor who specializes in liver transplantation. Besides, patient testimonials will also help you choose the best doctor to give you complete insights into his approach to patient care. 

Can liver parenchymal disease be cured?

While some liver parenchymal diseases can be treated and even reversed, some are difficult to cure depending on the underlying cause, severity, and how early they are diagnosed. Here is a general diagnosis. 

1. Reversible vs. Irreversible Damage

• Mild to moderate cases: If your doctor detects fatty liver disease or mild hepatitis early, lifestyle modifications, medications, and treating the cause can reverse liver damage. 
• In severe cases such as liver cirrhosis and advanced Fibrosis, the damage is usually irreversible, but progression can be slowed or managed.

2. Treatable but based on cause

• Fatty Liver Diseases such as NAFLD and AFLD in the early stages can be managed by losing extra kilos, eating a healthy diet, following an exercise regimen, and quitting alcohol. 
• Hepatitis: To treat Hepatitis B or C, a doctor may recommend antiviral medications. He may also suggest steroids or immunosuppressants. 
• Liver Cirrhosis & Damage: This condition cannot be fully reversed, but medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications can prevent further deterioration. In a severe liver function decline, a liver transplant may be needed. 

3. Lifestyle & Prevention

• Refrain from alcohol and hepatotoxic drug use. 
• Get vaccination done against Hepatitis A & B. 
• Ensure you take your medicines to keep diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol in control. 
• A healthy diet aids in maintaining body weight. 

Consult your doctor for personalized advice and treatment. He can assess the underlying cause and extent of liver damage and develop an appropriate plan. 

Parenchymal Liver Disease in the Elderly 

Recently, Parenchymal liver disease (PLD) in elderly patients has become a point of discussion. There are many reasons that this disease occurs in older adults, such as heavy alcohol use, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Sometimes, the problem can be genetics, too. 

Early diagnosis and suitable timely interventions, like lifestyle changes and medical treatments, prevent disease progression. 

Here is a breakdown of the key aspects of parenchymal liver disease in the elderly:

5 Common Types of Parenchymal Liver Disease in the Elderly

1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

These types of diseases are most common in elderly individuals and are usually associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. 

2. Alcoholic liver disease

However compared to young individuals, chronic alcohol use may be less in young individuals. Still, it can lead to alcoholic liver disease. 

3. Chronic hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B and C are common concerns in elderly individuals due to prolonged infection, often leading to problems like liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 

4. Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Elderly individuals with a history of liver cirrhosis are at risk of getting liver disease. The incidence of HCC increases with age and can take a serious turn in older patients.

5. Autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is a liver disease that occurs when the immune system of the body attacks the liver tissue. This disease is commonly diagnosed in younger people but can also be present in older individuals. 

5 Symptoms of liver disease in the elderly

The warning signs of a severe liver problem in older people that may cause damage: 

1. Fatigue is the most common symptom in elderly patients with liver disease. 
2. Jaundice is one of the first signs of liver disease. It includes the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. 
3. Ascites and edema. Ascites do not indicate liver failure, but it is a sign of liver damage, causing uncomfortable symptoms. On the other hand, liver edema may indicate increased pressure in the portal vein. These conditions happen when the liver can’t make enough blood proteins. 
4. Hepatomegaly or splenomegaly. An enlarged liver or spleen indicates liver disease. 
5. Cognitive impairment. It is very common for older individuals to experience confusion, altered consciousness, and behavioral changes. 

3 Management Considerations

1. Medications. They may need to be adjusted to prevent further liver damage. 
2. Nutrition Support. Older adults with liver disease usually suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Proper diets and supplements may be necessary.
3. Surveillance for liver cancer. Older adults with chronic liver disease should take regular tests for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as they are at an increased risk. 

A Short Note on Diffuse Liver Parenchymal Disease

Diffuse liver Parenchyma Disease is a subset of liver parenchymal disease. It indicates a condition where the liver tissue parenchyma shows changes that can affect the entire organ. 

5 Main Causes of Diffuse Liver Parenchymal Disease 

1. Chronic Liver Diseases

Chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis (B, C, D, & E), alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and Wilson’s disease can cause diffuse liver parenchymal disease.

2. Liver Cirrhosis

It refers to a condition in which the liver is brutally scarred and permanently damaged. 

3. Metabolic Disorders

These include glycogen storage diseases and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency that can cause diffuse liver parenchymal disease. 

4. Infectious Causes. 

Infectious causes such as liver abscesses and granulomatous hepatitis (e.g., sarcoidosis, tuberculosis) can lead to this chronic liver disease. 

5. Toxic and Drug-Induced. 

Drug-induced liver injury and toxin exposure can lead to parenchymal damage. 

Conclusion 

Although liver parenchymal disease can be a dangerous condition, it can be effectively managed with early detection and appropriate treatment. Consult the best liver transplant physician to get professional treatment for liver illnesses and transplants. 

By monitoring your liver health and seeking medical advice when necessary, you can ensure a healthier future for your liver and overall well-being.

Parenchymal Liver Disease and Redcliffe Labs

Liver parenchymal disease can become life-threatening if liver function is seriously impaired. This condition can also give rise to other conditions, putting you at higher risk.

A doctor may recommend a CT scan and MRI to show liver damage. Even a liver biopsy may also be suggested to help diagnose liver disease. 

Redcliffe Labs offers a range of health tests with home sample collection. The most common way to detect a liver disease is a liver function test (LFT), which requires a blood test. Our phlebotomist will arrive at your place with a blood collection tube. He is an expert in collecting blood from a vein in the arm, ensuring a painless and safe procedure. 

Additionally, if needed, you can also book our urine collection services. Blood and urine test sample reports are available within a time frame. 

Call us at 898 898 87 87 or download a Redcliffe Labs mobile app to book a test online.  Step-by-step information on booking a test online: 

1. Visit the official Redcliffe Labs website: https://redcliffelabs.com/.
2. Browse or search for the specific test you need. 
3. Add the test to the cart. 
4. Complete the payment process online.

Note: You will receive confirmation through SMS and WhatsApp.

FAQs

1. What is a liver parenchymal disease?

A liver parenchymal disease comprises a variety of liver conditions that can affect its functional tissue called parenchyma. 

2. What is the treatment for liver parenchymal disease?

The liver parenchymal disease treatment includes diet and lifestyle modifications, and medication adjustments may also be needed. 

3. What are the symptoms of chronic liver disease in the elderly?

Common symptoms of chronic liver disease in the elderly include fluid buildup in the belly, stomachache, vomiting, nausea, muscle loss, loss of appetite, and itching. 

4. What are the common causes of parenchymal liver disease?

Common causes of parenchymal liver disease include viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune hepatitis, and drug-induced liver injury. 

5. How is liver parenchymal disease diagnosed?

Liver parenchymal disease is diagnosed via liver function tests, hepatitis panel tests, imaging tests, and sometimes a liver biopsy.