Cirrhosis of the Liver: Information on causes, symptoms, stages, treatment and prognosis

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Cirrhosis of the Liver
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Cirrhosis of the Liver

• Just above the right upper abdomen, under the
  right lung is the largest internal organ of the
  body located. This organ is none other than the
  multi-functional liver. The liver is one organ
  that can perform multiple tasks in one time. The
  liver can produce cholesterol, make proteins,
  store and release glucose in form of energy,
  eliminate waste from the body and metabolise
  various toxins and medications in the body
  system. If that's not enough, liver function also
  includes production of bile through ducts and
  releasing it into the intestine, helping in
  digestion of food. And what makes this organ
  totally unique is its ability to regenerate
  itself when it is damaged or partially removed.
  However, with years of abuse especially in cases
  of alcoholics, the liver finally gives up. It can
  develop a condition called cirrhosis and cease
  some of its normal functions leading to havoc
  within the body.

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What do we understand with cirrhosis?

• The progressive scarring of the tissue in the
  liver that leads to scars on the normal tissues
  is called cirrhosis of the liver. This permanent
  damage or scarring of the liver leads to blockage
  of blood flow within the liver. The liver becomes
  distorted in shape, hardens and forms lumps. The
  blockage prevent the normal functioning of the
  liver like metabolism and regulation process
  leading to different health problems.

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What are the causes of liver cirrhosis?

• There are several liver cirrhosis causes that
  include either of the following 
• Chronic alcoholism
• Chronic viral infection by Hepatitis B, Hepatitis
  C and D
• Wilson's disease (abnormal storage of copper)
• Hemochromatosis (abnormal storage of iron)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Blocked bile ducts
• Toxic hepatitis caused by reaction to medications
  and toxins
• Alpha - 1 - antitrypsin deficiency
• Galactosemia and glycogen storage disorders
• Chronic heart failure with liver congestion
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Cryptogenic cirrhosis

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Symptoms

• The early stages of liver cirrhosis exhibit very
  few symptoms. However, some of the symptoms of
  the condition include
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Loss of weight
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• As the disease progresses, the liver cirrhosis
  symptoms become more and more serious. Some of
  these signs and symptoms include edema,
  jaundice, itchy skin, gallstones, coagulation
  defects, spider naevi, gynaecomastia and mental
  disorders.

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Stages of liver cirrhosis

• There are four liver cirrhosis stages that are
  seen in patients. The first two liver cirrhosis
  stages are placed into the compensated stage.
  There is gradual deterioration of the liver
  functions. The body starts compensating for its
  lack of functioning liver. This stage is almost
  impossible to detect and only a liver biopsy can
  help confirm damage to liver cells. Next is the
  decompensated stage that includes both the 3rd
  and 4th liver cirrhosis stages. The liver is
  extensively damaged and this leads to
  life-threatening complications. The patient
  suffers from serious symptoms that may lead to
  coma.

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Treatments

• Treatment is based on the type and cause of
  cirrhosis. Once the liver is extensively damaged,
  it cannot be reserved. However, proper liver
  cirrhosis treatment can help in putting a stop to
  further damage. Edema and ascites can be treated
  with diuretics that help in treatment of water
  retention. The deficiencies in the body can be
  overcome with the help of mineral and vitamin
  supplements. The patient maybe advised sugar
  based drinks to maintain the nutrition as well as
  energy levels. In case of constipation and
  reduction of toxic substances from the body,
  laxatives maybe advised. This will help prevent
  the toxins to reach the brain and cause confusion
  and coma.

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Prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis

• The prognosis depends on the stage and cause of
  the condition. Usually, cirrhosis life expectancy
  is less than half of the expected normal life.
  Once affected by cirrhosis, the liver cannot
  become normal again. The best way to increase
  life expectancy is to curb the disease in its
  initial stages. Continued use of alcohol will
  lead to irreversible damage. In order to make the
  prognosis in an individual case look brighter, it
  is better to maintain an alcohol free healthy
  lifestyle. If one is a chronic alcoholic or has
  suffered from chronic hepatitis, make sure you
  get your liver checked regularly for cirrhosis.
  The condition caught early on has better
  prognosis than the end stages. If you have any
  doubts, speak to your hepatologist regarding
  liver cirrhosis.

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