What are some reasons why the liver fails?

(1) The following conditions may lead to chronic liver failure, in which the liver could fail within months or years:

-- Prolonged viral hepatitis, particularly, if left untreated, hepatitis B and C.

-- Prolonged alcohol use that damages the liver and causes Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD).

-- Years of excessive consumption of simple carbs, such as those found in white-flour products, and sugars of all kinds, which can result in cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

-- Liver cirrhosis (from a variety of causes).

-- Malnutrition (a severe lack of vital nutrients, particularly vitamin C, which causes the walls of the hepatic blood vessels to break down and tissues to decompose).

(2) Acute liver failure (infections or inadvertent poisoning may cause the liver to fail quickly in certain situations):

Overdosing on acetaminophen (Tylenol).

-- Certain types of untreated viral hepatitis.

-- Reactions to specific prescription drugs or, in rare cases, specific ingredients in herbal remedies.

-- Consuming some deadly wild mushrooms.

-- Poisoning from chemicals or toxins.

Some reasons why the liver fails include chronic alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis (such as hepatitis B and C), fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), autoimmune hepatitis, genetic disorders (such as hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease), certain medications or toxins, infections, and liver cancer.