What condition is characterized by inflammation of the liver?

Hepatitis is specifically characterized by inflammation of the liver, often caused by viral infections, alcohol consumption, certain medications, or autoimmune diseases. This condition manifests through a range of symptoms including fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and eyes that occurs when there is an accumulation of bilirubin in the bloodstream due to liver dysfunction.

Cirrhosis, while related to liver disease, is a late-stage scarring (fibrosis) of the liver resulting from long-term inflammation and damage, rather than an inflammatory condition itself. Jaundice is a symptom of liver dysfunction rather than a specific liver condition and can arise from multiple causes including hepatitis. Fatty liver disease refers to the accumulation of fat in the liver cells and can lead to inflammation, but it is not specifically defined as liver inflammation in the way hepatitis is.