Gastrointestinal Health topics
Your liver
Click on the links below to learn more about conditions affecting the liver, including liver cancer.
Alcohol: long-term effects
Read about the effects long-term use of alcohol has on your body.
Fatty liver
Fatty liver is a condition most commonly found in heavy drinkers or people who are obese or have diabetes. There are usually no symptoms.
Gilbert syndrome
Gilbert syndrome is a condition in which there is an excess of bilirubin in the blood. It usually does not have serious effects.
Haemochromatosis
Haemochromatosis is a condition in which the body takes in too much iron.
Hepatitis A, B and C: an overview
Compare the differences among hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C with this handy table.
Hepatitis A: information for travellers
Hepatitis A, a viral infection, is a common cause of liver inflammation worldwide. Find out about the symptoms, treatment and preventing this disease.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious illness but it can be prevented by vaccination.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing the spread of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B: information for travellers
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver, causing anorexia, nausea, joint pain and jaundice in the acute (initial) phase.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver, which may show up as an acute flu-like illness with fever and nausea.
Hepatitis C and diet
Some useful dietary advice for people with hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C and liver biopsy: the inside story
Find out what`s involved when you have a liver biopsy.
Hepatitis C and sexual transmission: does it occur?
Although there's some uncertainty about hepatitis C being transmitted sexually, it's not classified as an STD.
Hepatitis C antibodies and antibody testing
Find out all about antibodies and protective killer cells called macrophages, and learn how antibody tests help detect hepatitis C infection.
Hepatitis C: an Australian snapshot
Find out about all about hepatitis C and how it affects Australians.
Liver
View this diagram of the liver and find out more about the functions of your liver.
Liver and alcohol breakdown
Your liver is the main place in your body where alcohol is broken down. See what happens to the alcohol you drink.
Liver biopsy
Find out what is involved when you have a liver biopsy, in which a small piece of liver tissue is removed to help doctors detect liver abnormalities.
Liver cancer: symptoms
Liver cancers often do not produce symptoms for some time during their growth.
Liver cancer: treatment
Treatment of liver cancer depends on the type of tumour, the stage it has reached, and the general health of the person and their liver.
Liver cancer: types
Liver cancer often occurs as a secondary form of cancer (metastases) that has spread from other parts of the body. Read about primary and secondary liver cancers and their risk factors.
Liver cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the liver, which may be caused by drinking too much alcohol, can affect the functioning of the entire body.
Liver disease risk higher in overweight drinkers
The risk of liver disease may be increased among regular alcohol drinkers if they are also overweight.
Liver function testing
Find out about the substances tested in liver function tests and how they can help determine the health of your liver.
PCR and Hepatitis C transmission
Learn about PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which help detect the presence of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Primary biliary cirrhosis: hair dye increases risk
Women who dye their hair may be at increased risk of developing primary biliary cirrhosis, researchers have found.
Read about the effects long-term use of alcohol has on your body.
Fatty liver
Fatty liver is a condition most commonly found in heavy drinkers or people who are obese or have diabetes. There are usually no symptoms.
Gilbert syndrome
Gilbert syndrome is a condition in which there is an excess of bilirubin in the blood. It usually does not have serious effects.
Haemochromatosis
Haemochromatosis is a condition in which the body takes in too much iron.
Hepatitis A, B and C: an overview
Compare the differences among hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C with this handy table.
Hepatitis A: information for travellers
Hepatitis A, a viral infection, is a common cause of liver inflammation worldwide. Find out about the symptoms, treatment and preventing this disease.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a serious illness but it can be prevented by vaccination.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing the spread of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B: information for travellers
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver, causing anorexia, nausea, joint pain and jaundice in the acute (initial) phase.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver, which may show up as an acute flu-like illness with fever and nausea.
Hepatitis C and diet
Some useful dietary advice for people with hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C and liver biopsy: the inside story
Find out what`s involved when you have a liver biopsy.
Hepatitis C and sexual transmission: does it occur?
Although there's some uncertainty about hepatitis C being transmitted sexually, it's not classified as an STD.
Hepatitis C antibodies and antibody testing
Find out all about antibodies and protective killer cells called macrophages, and learn how antibody tests help detect hepatitis C infection.
Hepatitis C: an Australian snapshot
Find out about all about hepatitis C and how it affects Australians.
Liver
View this diagram of the liver and find out more about the functions of your liver.
Liver and alcohol breakdown
Your liver is the main place in your body where alcohol is broken down. See what happens to the alcohol you drink.
Liver biopsy
Find out what is involved when you have a liver biopsy, in which a small piece of liver tissue is removed to help doctors detect liver abnormalities.
Liver cancer: symptoms
Liver cancers often do not produce symptoms for some time during their growth.
Liver cancer: treatment
Treatment of liver cancer depends on the type of tumour, the stage it has reached, and the general health of the person and their liver.
Liver cancer: types
Liver cancer often occurs as a secondary form of cancer (metastases) that has spread from other parts of the body. Read about primary and secondary liver cancers and their risk factors.
Liver cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the liver, which may be caused by drinking too much alcohol, can affect the functioning of the entire body.
Liver disease risk higher in overweight drinkers
The risk of liver disease may be increased among regular alcohol drinkers if they are also overweight.
Liver function testing
Find out about the substances tested in liver function tests and how they can help determine the health of your liver.
PCR and Hepatitis C transmission
Learn about PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which help detect the presence of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Primary biliary cirrhosis: hair dye increases risk
Women who dye their hair may be at increased risk of developing primary biliary cirrhosis, researchers have found.
