Chronic Liver Disease: Clinical Assessment and Treatment

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is characterized by a decline in the effective functioning of liver for more than six months. These functions of liver include the production of clotting factors and other proteins, bile excretion and the detoxification of toxic metabolic byproducts. Chronic viral hepatitis such as hepatitis B and C, hemochromatosis, alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most common types of CLD. Dark urine color, chronic weariness, loss of appetite, pale stool color, vomiting or nausea, and itchy skin are some its major symptoms. These diseases are caused due to factors such as high cholesterol, infections, episodes of heart failure, alcohol misuse, viruses, etc. The diagnosis of CLD may be confirmed by a liver biopsy and blood tests. The treatment of CLD is determined by its cause. Medications such as interferon, bile acids, corticosteroids, antivirals and other medicines may be used to treat particular conditions of CLD. This book presents the latest researches on chronic liver disease. It covers techniques for clinical assessment and treatment of this disease. Researchers and students studying these diseases will be assisted by this book.