Liver disease

The liver is a vital organ playing many roles. It is involved in the digestion and absorption of food (bile secretion) and serves as a storage reservoir for many vitamins and minerals as well is a site of synthesis of nutrients. It secretes coagulation factors and circulating proteins (albumin). It has a role in immunity as well as in the metabolism of bilirubin (degradation's product of red blood cells) and drugs or the detoxification of toxins.

Liver disease

However, in the event of failure, the state of health deteriorates.

Acute liver failure

Acute liver failure is a rapid deterioration (within days and weeks) of liver function in a person who had no pre-existing liver disease. Acute liver failure, also known as fulminant hepatic failure, can cause serious complications including excessive bleeding and elevated pressure in the brain which require emergency hospitalization.

It's generally often due to intoxication by an hepatotoxin.

Drugs and toxins (acetaminophen, some mushrooms and various medications or drugs)
Viruses (mainly hepatitis B)

Chronic liver disease

Cirrhosis is a late stage (over years) of chronic liver disease when scarring (severe fibrosis) develops.

Jaundice: deposition of bilirubin, changing skin and eyes to a yellow color
Portal hypertension : an increase in the blood pressure in portal venous system
Ascite and edema: accumulation of water in the abdomen or lower limbs
Extreme fatigue: debalancing in nutritional intakes causing widespread weakness
Coagulopathy: decreased coagulation factors causing bleeding, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract
Hepatic encephalopathy

Many causes could lead to detoriation of liver:

Viral hepatitis (mainly B and C)
NAFLD/NASH (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatosis hepatitis)
Alcoholic liver diseases
Autoimmune liver diseases
Liver cancer
Pediatric disease (for example, urea cycle enzymes deficiencies)