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Cirrhosis
The liver is a very important organ. It helps the body get rid of toxic substances, including alcohol and other poisons. It produces bile to help digest food and proteins for the blood. It regulates the levels of other important chemicals in the blood. The liver is an essential and irreplaceable organ of the body. Whereas if kidneys fail one can get kidney dialysis, if the liver fails the only recourse is a liver transplant.
Cirrhosis is a disease of the liver caused by chronic damage leading to scarring of the liver over a long period of time. Scarring of the liver causes permanent damage and makes it hard for the liver to do its job. In the United States cirrhosis most often results from alcohol abuse. There are also many other causes of cirrhosis, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection and certain autoimmune, metabolic and inherited forms of liver disease.
The liver changes that lead to cirrhosis are gradual. At first liver cells become injured. If the cause of the injury continues, the liver cells begin to die are replaced by scar tissue, called fibrosis. When the fibrosis is extensive, it is called cirrhosis. This scar tissue cannot perform the many functions of the liver.
Symptoms
The symptoms of liver damage depend on the cause of the damage. The symptoms may include:
• fever
• nausea
• vomiting
When damage is severe, they include
• jaundice (yellow skin)
• swelling of the abdomen(ascites)
• bleeding from dilated veins in the stomach and esophagus
• bruising of the skin.
Diagnosis
A careful medical history are very important in the diagnosis of cirrhosis, with an emphasis on the potential causes. The physical exam looks for signs of chronic liver disease and can help the physician get an idea of the severity of the liver damage. Blood tests give information on how well the liver is working. They also may help find the cause of the cirrhosis; for example, hepatitis B infection.
A liver biopsy may need to be done for precise diagnosis of liver damage. You can have a liver biopsy as an outpatient. (You do not have to stay in a hospital overnight.) If you have a biopsy, your skin will be numbed before a special needle is used to go through your skin and into your liver. The needle is used to get a small piece of liver tissue for tests.
Treatment
The first important step in treating cirrhosis is to remove the cause, if possible. For example, if you have liver damage caused by alcohol abuse, you must stop drinking alcohol. If an hepatitis virus such as B or C is the cause, treatment with antiviral agents may be effective.
The second step of treatment is to make sure your body gets the nutrition it needs. Because your liver is not working properly, you may need vitamin supplements and may have to change your diet.
Cirrhosis can cause problems in other parts of your body and these will need to be treated. For example, fluid may build up in your abdomen, or you may have bleeding from the esophagus or stomach. Medication can help control the buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Minor outpatient surgery may be required to treat sites of bleeding in the stomach and esophagus.
You may need special changes in your diet to prevent complications in your brain and kidneys.
If the liver is so severely damaged that it can no longer perform its function , a liver transplant is required to sustain life. If the cause of the cirrhosis, such as alcohol abuse, can be removed or controlled and if you are healthy enough, a transplant is a theoretical option. But liver transplants are very expensive. Not all insurers will pay for liver transplants for all conditions. Also, the wait for a suitable liver to transplant may be too long. Also, if you have been drinking alcohol within the last 6 months, you will not be a candidate for a liver transplant. The number of transplantable livers is low, and only those who have shown abstinence from alcohol will qualify.
Having said this, it is important for every citizen of legal age to consider being an organ donor.
If the cause of the injury is removed and there is no further injury, the cirrhosis may not get worse and the remaining unscarred cells will continue to do the important work of the liver.
Follow the correct diet.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Follow your doctor's advice about taking medications, including nonprescription drugs.
For a consultation, please call the offices of Syracuse Gastroenterological Associates at 315-234-6677.
Please note: We do not answer questions regarding individual medical problems on this website. We advise you to contact your physician for your specific health related concerns.
©2007 Syracuse Gastroenterological Associates, P.C.
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