Cirrhosis - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
When any cell gets damaged or injured and ultimately dies, then the tissue that was once crammed with live cells turns fibrotic. It gets coagulated with loads of protein forming scar tissue.
In Cirrhosis, scarred tissue replaces the live salubrious liver tissue. Blood flow stops in the liver because of the scar tissue that decelerates the liver’s capability to process drugs, hormones, nutrients, and natural toxins.
What Is Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is the advanced stage of fibrosis caused by several forms of diseases that affect the liver. These diseases include chronic alcoholism and hepatitis. The liver tries to fix itself
each time it gets affected by alcohol consumption or some disease or due to any other reason. This leads to the formation of the scarred tissue With the increase in the severity of
cirrhosis, a large number of scar tissues are formed, which makes it very difficult for the liver to function properly. The advanced stage of the disease can be fatal.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cirrhosis?
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unexpected weight loss
- Distress in abdomen
- Severe itchiness
- Bleeding gums
- Paleness in skin and eyes
- Memory loss
- Swelling feet, legs and ankles
- Muscle cramps
- Breathing problems
- Vomiting blood
- Nose bleeds
What Are The Causes of Cirrhosis?
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- Chronic Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or Hepatitis D
- Iron accumulation in the body
- Medical ailments that make it difficult for the body to treat sugars
- Accumulation of fat in the liver
- Cystic fibrosis
- Damage to the bile duct. The bile duct is responsible to transport digestive enzymes from the liver to the intestine.
- Autoimmune disease which causes adverse effect to the liver.
- Side effect of certain medications
- Certain infections and digestive disorders
- Diseases that affect the body’s capability of managing iron and copper
What Are The Stages Of Cirrhosis?
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
Healthcare specialists usually classifies cirrhosis into two types:
1. Compensated Cirrhosis
In this, the liver is able to perform its functions properly in spite of the damage.
2. Decompensated Cirrhosis
In this, the liver cannot perform its functions well due to the damage, causing serious symptoms.
The cirrhosis is generally viewed as the last stage of liver disorder.
How Cirrhosis is diagnosed?
Cirrhosis can be diagnosed by the following ways:
Physical examination
In the physical exam for cirrhosis, your doctor will examine the feel and appearance of your liver. In cirrhosis, the liver becomes irregular and bumpy.
Blood tests
Cirrhosis can be diagnosed by a blood test. Your doctor will take a small sample of your blood and examine it.
Other tests
In a few cases, ultrasound or CT scan is done by the doctor. Several pictures of the liver are taken and the problem is diagnosed.
Biopsy
Doctors generally confirm the diagnosis of liver with a biopsy. In this, a small sample of the liver is removed and examined for the disease.
Biopsies can also be done to reveal the presence of anomalous cells in the liver, like cancerous cells or similar diseased cells.
Surgery
In some cases, the doctors come to detect cirrhosis only while they are performing surgery. The problem can also be detected in the liver through laparoscopy.
In laparoscopy, a small device is inserted into the abdomen through a minor cut. This process is also termed as key-hole surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
Also Read: 6 Popular Signs That Your Cat Is Sick
How Cirrhosis Is Treated?
Cirrhosis is not curable, but it is treatable. While getting the cirrhosis treatment, you can ensure the following two things:
- No further damage is caused to the liver.
- Complications are prevented.
Your healthcare specialist will provide you with the treatment catered to your needs. The root cause and the damage caused to the liver has a significant role in deciding the type of treatment you require.
Alcohol Dependency Treatment
For people who have cirrhosis by excessive alcohol consumption, should stop drinking straight away. Even a small amount of further alcohol use can worsen the condition.
If you are addicted to alcohol and finding it difficult to stop it completely, consult your doctor. He may suggest an alcohol addiction treatment for your assistance.
Hepatitis Treatment
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis. You can get the treatment for these diseases and preclude the liver damage. Antiviral treatments are now available for the treatment of
Hepatitis C.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Treatment
If you are obese or overweight, you can get the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. To treat this medical condition, lose your weight by means of a healthy diet and exercise. Irrespective of
the cause of cirrhosis, you should stop consuming alcohol.
Blockage Of Bile Duct Treatment
Medicines like Ursodiol is used to treat cirrhosis caused by a blockage in the bile duct. The doctor can also perform surgical operations to open the blocked bile duct.
The ailments that narrow down or block the bile duct incorporates primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cholangitis.
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