Cirrhosis
(Redirected from Liver Cirrhosis)
Cirrhosis | |
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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 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).
Causes[edit | edit source]
Cirrhosis can result from various factors, including:
- 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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
- 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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Health science - Medicine - Gastroenterology - edit |
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD