Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis
Specialty	Hepatology, Gastroenterology
Symptoms	Fatigue, weakness, jaundice, itching, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, confusion, bleeding
Complications	Portal hypertension, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma
Usual onset	Gradual
Duration	Chronic
Causes	Alcohol abuse, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, Wilson's disease
Diagnostic method	Liver biopsy, blood tests, imaging studies
Prevention	Vaccination, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, managing underlying conditions
Treatment	Treating underlying causes, medications, liver transplant

Cirrhosis of the liver

Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) and the loss of liver function. Cirrhosis can lead to severe complications, including portal hypertension, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).

Cirrosis

Cirrhosis patient

Causes

Cirrhosis can result from various factors, including:

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis

• Alcohol abuse
• Chronic viral infections, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
• Genetic disorders, such as Wilson's disease and hemochromatosis

Symptoms

Cirrhosis may initially present without symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Itching (pruritus)
• Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites)
• Swelling in the legs (edema)
• Confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

Diagnosis

Cirrhosis can be diagnosed using a combination of methods, such as:

• Blood tests to assess liver function and rule out other causes
• Imaging studies, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI
• Liver biopsy, where a small sample of liver tissue is removed and examined under a microscope

Prevention

Preventive measures for cirrhosis include:

• Vaccination against hepatitis B
• Practicing safe sex and avoiding exposure to infected blood to prevent hepatitis B and C
• Reducing alcohol consumption or abstaining from alcohol
• Maintaining a healthy weight and managing conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol
• Early detection and treatment of autoimmune liver diseases

Treatment

Treatment for cirrhosis focuses on addressing the underlying cause and managing complications. This may include:

• Stopping alcohol consumption
• Antiviral medications for hepatitis B or C
• Weight loss and lifestyle modifications for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Medications to manage autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, or primary sclerosing cholangitis
• Liver transplant in severe cases

External links

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Cirrhosis: [4]
• American Liver Foundation - Cirrhosis: [5]
• Mayo Clinic - Cirrhosis: [6]

Cirrhosis Resources
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