Various factors can cause liver damage to occur. Some of these factors include exposure to industrial chemicals, liver cancer, infections, and, of course, excessive alcohol use.
Alcohol: Alcohol is the leading factor in liver damage. When you consume alcohol moderately, enzymes in your liver work to effectively break down the alcohol. But if you drink too much alcohol, it can’t break it down as quickly.
Alcohol and its byproducts can damage your liver cells and cause inflammation in your liver. It also obstructs the breakdown of fats, which leads to an accumulation of fat in your liver (fatty liver).
Infections: Infections that affect the liver such as hepatitis A, B, and C.
Autoimmune conditions: Conditions such as autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis.
Excess fat in the liver (unrelated to alcohol): A high-fat diet can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Medications and supplements: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), certain antibiotics, and ma huang (ephedra) also contribute to liver damage. Tylenol is the safest medication for fevers, aches, and pains, but only if you take it in the recommended amounts. Amounts greater than that can result in liver damage or failure. Acetaminophen overdose is a common reason to contemplate a liver transplant.
Genetic conditions: Genetically passed conditions like hemochromatosis (your body absorbs too much iron in your liver and causes liver disease) and Wilson’s disease (causes excess copper to build up in the liver contributing to liver disease).