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causes of chronic liver disease
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Digestive Health
Question #16006
46 days ago
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causes of chronic liver disease - #16006

Arush

I am trying to figure out what the causes of chronic liver disease could be because my dad was recently diagnosed, and it all feels overwhelming. He started feeling really fatigued and just not himself a few months ago, and we thought it was just getting older, but then his doctor mentioned the possibility of chronic liver disease after some blood tests. They said his liver enzymes were off, and it could be from a lot of things like alcohol, but he hardly drinks. I mean, it’s baffling because he eats pretty healthy, not much fast food or anything, but he does take a lot of medications for his blood pressure and cholesterol. His doctor didn’t really go into detail about other causes of chronic liver disease, and honestly, I’m scared and confused. Like, could it really just come from the meds? Or is there something else we’re missing? I read a few things online, but they just seem to say the same stuff, and I just can’t wrap my head around the causes of chronic liver disease. Could someone help me understand if there are other reasons we should be looking at? Any insight on this would really mean a lot right now, thanks!!

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Doctors’ responses

Chronic liver disease can indeed be caused by a number of factors, and it sounds like you’re trying to get a clear picture of what might be contributing here. While alcohol is a well-known cause, it’s definitely not the only one. Since your dad doesn’t drink much, it’s good to consider other potential causes. One possibility is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can occur even in individuals who maintain a relatively healthy diet but might have underlying conditions like obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Medications, like those your dad is taking for blood pressure and cholesterol, can sometimes affect the liver too, especially over long periods. It’s worth reviewing his medication list with his healthcare provider to determine if they could be contributing factors. There’s also chronic infections like hepatitis B or C, which might not show obvious early symptoms but can lead to liver damage over time. Autoimmune liver diseases like autoimmune hepatitis could also be a possibility, where the immune system inadvertently attacks liver cells. Genetic conditions such as hemochromatosis or Wilson’s disease, which involve abnormal storage of iron and copper in the liver respectively, might also be considerations though they’re less common. It’s important to discuss each of these potential causes with his healthcare provider, who can help guide the appropriate tests and diagnostic steps to nail down the underlying cause. They might recommend further imaging like an ultrasound or specific blood tests to check for these conditions. Seeking a gastroenterologist or hepatologist’s input could also provide more specialized insight into his liver health. These specialists can help devise a comprehensive management plan tailored to the specific cause, ensuring that treatment is both effective and aligned with his overall health needs.

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