Cirrhosis of the liver describes a condition where scar tissue gradually replaces healthy liver cells.
It is a progressive disease, developing slowly over many years. If it is allowed to continue, the buildup of scar tissue can eventually stop liver function and leads to liver failure and ultimately to liver transplant.
For cirrhosis to develop, long-term, continuous damage to the liver needs to occur. When healthy liver tissue is destroyed and replaced by scar tissue, the condition becomes serious, because it can start blocking the flow of blood through the liver.Early detection of this problem is necessary for early cure of this disease else it’s very difficult to reverse the process of scarring of liver.7
Symptoms
Symptoms are not common during the early stages of cirrhosis.So early detection of liver disease is difficult and in our ignornace we neglect minute symptoms.
However, as scar tissue accumulates, the ability of the liver to function properly is undermined. The following signs and symptoms may occur:
- blood capillaries become visible on the skin on the upper abdomen.
- Fatigue.
- Insomnia.
- itchy skin
- loss of appetite
- loss of bodyweight
- nausea
- pain or tenderness in the area where the liver is located
- red or blotchy palms
- weakness
Everything you need to know about cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the liver describes a condition where scar tissue gradually replaces healthy liver cells.
It is a progressive disease, developing slowly over many years. If it is allowed to continue, the buildup of scar tissue can eventually stop liver function.
For cirrhosis to develop, long-term, continuous damage to the liver needs to occur. And that happens as our body does not give major symptoms of scarring of liver until it becomes too late.When healthy liver tissue is destroyed and replaced by scar tissue, the condition becomes serious, because it can start blocking the flow of blood through the liver.And Ultimately leads to liver failure.
And the only option that we are left with is liver transplant,which in it self is a complicated task to follow.In liver transplant
Symptoms
Symptoms are not common during the early stages of cirrhosis.
However, as scar tissue accumulates, the ability of the liver to function properly is undermined. The following signs and symptoms may occur:
- blood capillaries become visible on the skin on the upper abdomen.
- fatigue
- insominia
- itchy skin
- loss of appetite
- loss of bodyweight
- nausea
- pain or tenderness in the area where the liver is located
- red or blotchy palms
- weakness
The following signs and symptoms may appear as liver cirrhosis progresses:
- accelerated heartbeat
- personality changes
- bleeding gums
- lost mass in the body and upper arms
- difficulties processing drugs and alcohol
- confusion
- dizziness
- fluid buildup on ankles, feet, and legs, known as edema
- hair loss
- higher susceptibility to bruising
- jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, and tongue
- loss of sex drive
- memory problems
- more frequent fevers,and increased risk of infection
- muscle cramps
- nosebleeds
- pain in the right shoulder
- breathlessness
- stools become black and tarry, or very pale.
- urine becomes darker.
- vomiting blood
- problems with walking and mobility
The liver tissue is replaced by fibrous scar tissue. Regenerative nodules may also form. These are lumps that appear as the liver tries to heal the damage.
Treatment
If the cirrhosis is diagnosed early enough, damage can be minimized by treating the underlying cause or the various complications that arise.
Treatment for alcohol dependency: It is important for the patient to stop drinking if their cirrhosis was caused by long-term, regular heavy alcohol consumption. In many cases, the doctor will recommend a treatment program for treating alcohol dependency.
Medications: The patient may be prescribed drugs to control liver cell damage caused by hepatitis Bor C.
Controlling pressure in the portal vein:Blood can “back up” in the portal vein that supplies the liver with blood, causing high blood pressure in the portal vein. Drugs are usually prescribed to control the increasing pressure in other blood vessels. The aim is to prevent severe bleeding. Signs of bleeding can be detected via an endoscopy.
If the patient vomits blood or passes bloody stools, they probably have esophageal varices. Urgent medical attention is required. The following procedures may help:
Banding: A small band is placed around the base of the varices to control bleeding.
Injection sclerotherapy: After an endoscopy, a substance is injected into the varices, which triggers a blood clot and scar tissue to form. This helps stem the bleeding.
A Sengstaken-Blakemore tube with a balloon: A balloon is placed at the end of the tube. If endoscopy does not stop the bleeding, the tube goes down the patient’s throat and into their stomach. The balloon is inflated. This places pressure on the varices and stops the bleeding.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS): If the therapies mentioned above do not stem the bleeding, a metal tube is passed across the liver to join the portal and hepatic veins, creating a new route for the blood to flow through. This reduces the pressure that was causing the varices.
Other complications are handled in different ways:
Infections: The patient will be given antibiotics for any infections that arise.
Screening for liver cancer: Patients with cirrhosis have a much higher risk of developing liver cancer.The doctor may recommend regular blood tests and imaging scans.
Hepatic encephalopathy, or high blood toxin levels: Drugs can help treat excessive blood toxin levels.
In some cases, the damage caused by cirrhosis covers most of the liver and cannot be reversed. In these cases, the person may need a new, transplanted liver. It can take time to find a suitable donor, and this procedure is often advised only as a last resort.
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