112 Medical Terminology: Mastering the Basics Liver Disease Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes). Most commonly, this inflammatory condition is caused by one of three viruses: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. Hepatitis can also result from chronic alcohol or drug abuse. Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease in which normal liver cells are replaced with hard, fibrous scar tissue (Figure 3.5). Common symptoms include abdominal swelling, susceptibility to bruising, and renal failure. Cirrhosis is often associated with long-term alcoholism. There is no known cure. Eating Disorders Eating disorders are a group of serious conditions rooted in a negative or a distorted self-image. Those affected are so preoccupied with food and weight that they can focus on little else in their lives. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two common types of behavioral eating disorders. Both involve weight loss achieved by different methods. Fatty Liver Liver Fibrosis Cirrhosis Deposits of fat cause liver enlargement. Scar tissue forms. More liver cell injury occurs. Scar tissue makes liver hard and unable to work properly. B Figure 3.5 A—Normal liver. B—The tissue scarring caused by cirrhosis severely weakens liver function. Liver A