Liver

The liver processes alcohol and many medicines. Substance use can contribute to liver injury, but liver disease has many causes and may develop quietly. Sudden confusion or vomiting blood needs immediate medical help.

The liver processes alcohol and many medicines, helps handle nutrients, and makes substances the body needs. Liver problems can develop quietly. Fat in liver cells, inflammation, scarring and loss of function describe different problems, which can overlap without following the same sequence in everyone.

Alcohol is one possible cause of liver injury. Metabolic conditions, infections, medicines and other diseases also matter. Feeling well does not reliably show how healthy a liver is, and symptoms alone cannot establish a cause. Care can reduce harm, but improvement and reversibility depend on the problem and its severity.

Sudden confusion, vomiting blood, black tarry stools, collapse or severe difficulty breathing need immediate medical help. New yellowing of the eyes or skin needs urgent assessment. If alcohol dependence may be present, stopping abruptly can be dangerous; seek medical support for a safe plan.

Full access is needed to read this Topic's articles.