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Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition whereby the cells in the liver become severely scarred and die after periods of inflammation and healing. Death of the cells in the cause the liver to become structurally abnormal and causes it to act abnormally. A normal liver’s job is to filter all the toxins that go into the body before they poison the body. It also aids in metabolism by producing bile to break up lipids, glycogen, and other necessaries for the health of an individual. When the liver becomes progressively scarred, the filter does not work so well. Toxins and poisons cannot work their way through the scar tissue as they would healthy liver tissue. Because the liver plays such an important part in the functions of the body, damage can cause major and life-threatening problems such as edema, kidney failure, ascites, liver cancer, and even itching, bleeding, and bruising.
Unfortunately cirrhosis is not a disease in which an individual is aware immediately there is a problem. Most times the liver is in an advanced state of scarring before any symptoms arise. Eventually patients may develop symptoms such as fluid buildup in the legs and abdomen, easy bruising, profuse nosebleeds, itching, fatigue, and jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin. Patients can also develop small red spots and lines on the skin, referred to as spidery angioma. One very severe symptom is bleeding of the varices in the esophagus caused by swelling of the veins in the throat. This is a symptom that requires immediate attention, or death could result.
Approximately 10% - 20% of individuals who drink alcohol for more than a decade will develop cirrhosis. Chronic alcoholism, along with Hepatitis B, is the two ?most common causes. Other causes include a hereditary condition known as hereditary hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis, or other medications, some prescribed. Risk factors for a patient is the first step in diagnosing cirrhosis. If a patient exhibits some of the above symptoms and is a heavy drinker, is obese, or has a history of Hepatitis B, a physician may begin to order further tests to assess the condition of the liver. The first test would be a panel of blood tests to test the functionality of the liver. A physician would order a CT scan of the abdomen to determine if enlargement of the liver has occurred. An MRI, liver scan, and ultrasound are other tools to determine the state of the liver. Confirmation can be determined by performing a biopsy of the liver, in which a needle is inserted into the liver, and liver tissue is removed and sent to pathology. The pathologist can determine whether the cells that were obtained are healthy, functional liver cells or scarred, non-functioning cells.
Though there is no cure for cirrhosis, the progress can be significantly slowed, or even halted. Individuals with cirrhosis should avoid alcohol, eat a nutritious diet, and avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Patients who have developed the disease from hepatitis can take viral drugs to eradicate complications of hepatitis. If the patient does not have hepatitis, the physician can order vaccinations against the disease to prevent infection later. Physicians may start some individuals on prednisone or Imuran to reduce inflammation. Symptoms of the disease can be treated on an as-needed basis such as a fluid pill to relieve ascites or an allergy medication to reduce itching. Patients with severe cirrhosis may never be able to eradicate the scarring in the liver, and a transplant may be necessary.
Nearly five of every 100,000 people die of cirrhosis of the liver each year. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with caution and lifestyle choices. Alcoholism is a disease that can be treated before long-term liver damage results. Many conditions, if found and treated, can be cured before long-term liver damage results. Annual blood tests and physicals can be alerts before any long-term liver damage results. The complications of cirrhosis are debilitating and severe, many times resulting in death.
The following are links that can provide more information on liver damage, cirrhosis, and treatments:
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