FAQs On Liver Cirrhosis

The functioning of the liver is critical to a person’s good health. This large organ, located in the abdomen produces enzymes that promote good digestion, removes toxins from the blood, stores nutrients for the body to use later and helps in fighting off infections. Any liver disease can affect the functioning of the organ resulting in serious and often life-threatening medical conditions. Among the most common and also most serious of liver diseases is cirrhosis. Here are a few of the most frequent asked questions (FAQs) about cirrhosis of the liver:

What is cirrhosis?

This is a condition when the healthy cells of the liver are slowly replaced by scar tissue which reduces the ability of the liver to carry out its important functions.

What causes cirrhosis?

The causes of cirrhosis are many, but the most common are excessive consumption of alcohol and infections.

What are the symptoms of cirrhosis?

In the early stages, there are often no noticeable symptoms. However, as the condition develops, the following signs are likely to appear:

• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Weakness and fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting blood
• Brown colored urine
• Fever
• Severe muscle pain
• Easily getting bruised or small cuts that bleed more than normal
• Yellowing of the skin and eye (jaundice)
• The development of minute blood vessels visible just below the skin surface
• Intense itching
• Whitening of the finger and toenails
• Redness of the palms

What are the causes?

• The abuse or excessive intake of alcohol, either regularly or due to binge drinking which is when a person does not drink every day, but when he or she does, consumes extremely large quantities.
• If you are obese, you have a risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease(NAFLD). This is a condition where fat deposits accumulate in the liver, affecting its ability to function and placing increased stress on the organ. It may progress to Non Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH)
• Infections such as Hepatitis B or C
• An excessive amount of iron in the body
• Diseases like diabetes that make it difficult for the body to process sugars and lead to NAFLD and NASH
• Autoimmune diseases that cause damage to the liver cells
• Genetic digestive disorders
• The reactions to certain medications
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Certain infections

How Is the condition diagnosed?

Because in the early stages of the condition there are often no symptoms, cirrhosis is often diagnosed during a regular medical examination where a tender or enlarged liver may be discovered. If the symptoms that are present or the doctor’s observation lead to the possibility of cirrhosis, tests will be done to determine if there are:

• Excessively high levels of liver enzymes
• Excessive amounts of bilirubin in the blood
• Low levels of proteins in the blood
• Abnormal blood count levels
• Signs of virus infections
• Signs of the presence of certain antibodies that appear when there is an autoimmune liver disease condition.
• Imaging studies (Ultrasound, Fibroscan etc)
• Liver biopsy

What Is the Treatment?

The earlier a liver disease like cirrhosis is diagnosed the greater the chances of being able to treat it through medication and lifestyle changes. If the condition is so advanced that the liver cannot be healed, then a liver transplant is normally the best option. If you suspect you have cirrhosis or another liver disease, go to a hospital with a specialized Liver Disease, Transplantation and Hepatobilary Surgery Center of Excellence. This is where you will find the best doctors specializing in diseases of the liver and the state-of-the-art treatment options, including liver transplant surgery. Cirrhosis is a serious condition and needs specialized medical treatment.

Please contact our 24×7 Dedicated Liver Helpline: Ph: +91 73736 53653 for immediate advice and queries related to liver disease and transplantation.

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Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

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