Hepatology
The science of liver disease. Diseases of the liver can include diseases of the whole liver (diffuse liver disease) as well as focal lesions in the liver. Diffuse liver diseases are often of inflammatory origin. Inflammation of the liver can be caused by viruses, which can lead to chronic inflammation of the liver. Liver-specific viruses are hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses. The liver can have autoimmune diseases, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune biliary inflammation. Inherited liver diseases also occur, iron and copper storage diseases. The most common liver disease today is fatty liver, which is often associated with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids. Liver disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption is common, but drugs and chemicals can also play a role in toxic damage.