The liver, which is the largest internal organ, is located on the right side of the body and is protected by the ribs.

The liver helps digest food, distribute nutrients, clean your blood and manufacture healing proteins. When the liver is not working properly, your body has difficulty absorbing vitamins and nutrients that provide energy and promote healing, forming blood clots when you are injured and removing waste products.

Some diseases and medications can damage the liver. If the damage is severe and permanent, you may need a liver transplant.

Common Liver Diseases Requiring Transplant
Hepatitis A, B, & C
Fatty liver (NASH) - Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Autoimmune Hepatitis
Alcoholic liver disease
Liver Cancer
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
Sudden acute liver failure
Cryptogenic cirrhosis

Common Symptoms of Liver Disease
Fatigue
Excess abdominal fluid (ascites)
Confusion due to high ammonia levels in your blood (encephalopathy)
Jaundice
Uncontrolled persistent itching
Edema
Bleeding from the esophagus, stomach or rectum

Remember, a liver transplant is a treatment – not a cure!