Your liver has many functions.
It makes bile which contains a number of substances that aid in the digestion of your food.
It stores excess glucose and sugar and then converts it back to energy when needed.
It creates amino acids to make proteins and are also used to fight off infections.
The liver creates cholesterol and several other chemicals required for the transportation of fat.
It also converts waste products into urea which is then excreted through your urine and it metabolizes medications into their active ingredients.
Symptoms of liver disease can include:

• weight loss,
• jaundice,
• fatigue,
• weakness,
• vomiting, and nausea.
  

Treatment depends on what actually caused your liver disease in the first place.
At least 75% of your liver's tissue needs to be damaged before its function starts to become impeded.
Cirrhosis is common and is caused by either fatty liver or the abuse of alcohol.
When cirrhosis occurs, your liver cells are replaced by scar tissue that hardens and makes it impossible for the organ to repair itself.
Then the parts of the liver affected by the cirrhosis are not able to fulfill their functions and this can eventually lead to acute liver failure.
People who are obese or have Type 2 diabetes often have fatty liver and it can go undetected unless it is specifically looked for.
Hepatitis is another form of liver disease.
It occurs when the liver becomes inflamed or when you contract one of the hepatitis A, B, C, D or E viruses.
Hemochromatosis is an inherited liver disease.
It forces your body to absorb and store iron in higher amounts than normal.
Apart from damage to your liver, it can also cause heart problems.
There are autoimmune diseases that can damage your liver cells by enlarging them.
They include:

• primary biliary cirrhosis, more commonly found in women, and
• primary sclerosing cholangitis, more commonly found in men.
  

Liver cancer can be caused either from stray cancer cells that come from a different part of the body and cause a tumor, or in people who have cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis.
Gastrointestinal bleeding can occur if the veins in the liver are blocked due to cirrhosis.
This causes the veins to bypass your liver and travel through the esophagus lining or stomach, where they can rupture and bleed.
Your doctor can order a variety of tests to determine if you have problems with your liver.
The tests can be as simple as blood tests, or as invasive as exploratory viewing, depending on the need at the time.
Treatment varies depending on the problem and severity but includes:

• rest,
• medication,
• avoiding alcohol,
• changing/modifying your diet, or
• occasional removal of blood (for hemochromatosis).
  

If you have liver cancer, treatment may include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery or, as a last resort, a liver transplant.
Respect your body and seek medical help if you notice any problems.
Prevention is usually better than treatment.