Cirrhosis occurs when there has been extensive damage done to the liver. It can be caused by hepatitis or chronic alcoholism. The liver is a part of your body that cleanses and detoxifies substances that may cause harm or damage to the body, cleans the blood and creates nutrients. When someone is suffering from Cirrhosis, there is a large amount of damaged liver cells and tissues that causes the liver to cease proper function. Cirrhosis is uncurbable and can only be treated with a liver transplant, however if you are diagnosed with an early stage of Cirrhosis there are preventative measures that you can take to ensure further damage is not done.
Causes or Risk Factors for Cirrhosis:
There are many different reasons that someone may develop cirrhosis, the most common reasons though are from alcohol usage, diet, and hepatitis. Some other risk factors and causes might be from the following:
- Someone with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Chronic alcohol abuse
- Someone with Hepatitis B and C
- Those with Cystic Fibrosis
- Those with genetic digestive disorders
- An iron buildup in the body
- Medications containing methotrexate
Symptoms of Cirrhosis:
The symptoms that are associated with Cirrhosis are similar to the ones that you see in those with a fatty liver or hepatitis, and often do not have any signs until the disease is fully developed, If you do experience any of the following, you might be suffering from Cirrhosis:
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Itchy skin
- Bruising easily
- Bleeding easily
- Fluid accumulation in your abdomen
- Confusion or slurred speech
- Redness in palms and hands
- Spiderlike blood vessels
- Nausea
- Stomach pains
- Signs of jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
Cirrhosis diagnosis and Treatment:
If you believe you have Cirrhosis of the liver, it is best to consult a doctor right away. There are a few tests that they can run to see if you are infected, though to see the extent of the damage there are screening and MRI’s that the patient will have to endure. There is not a treatment for Cirrhosis and the damage that has been caused by the disease cannot be undone. There are preventative treatments to reduce the risk of the disease developing further. Eating healthy, exercising, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, and living a healthy life style will all help in preventing the disease from getting worse. If complications from the damaged liver intensify, a liver transplant might be the last treatment option. If you think you might suffering from Cirrhosis, call the Digestive Liver Disease Center at San Antonio and talk to a professional staff member about setting up a consultation.
