ABOUT THE DISEASE

Cirrhosis is the final stage of a chronic liver disease caused due to scarring of the liver which is caused when the liver has tried repairing itself following damage.

CAUSES

This damage may be caused due to hepatitis (usually hepatitis C) infection, or may be caused due to injuries caused by toxins like alcohol. The scarring of the liver from use of alcohol is irreversible.

Less common causes can be:
Autoimmune hepatitis, bile duct disorders, some medicines or non alcoholic fatty liver disease.

SYMPTOMS

Initial symptoms include:

• • Loss of appetite
• • Unintended weight loss
• • Weakness and fatigue
• • Nausea

As the disease progresses and liver function gets more affected it might cause:

• • Jaundice
• • Dark brown urine
• • Small red spider like blood vessels on the palm
• • Impotence
• • Vomiting blood
• • Menstrual problems (in women)
• • Mental confusion
• • Itchiness of the skin
• • Abdominal swelling (due to fluid in the abdomen)

DIAGNOSIS

A physical examination shall show some of the following:
- An enlarged liver or spleen
- Excess breast tissue
- Yellow eyes or skin indicating jaundice
- Swollen abdomen due to fluid retention
- Reddened palms
- Red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
- Small testicles
- Widened veins in the abdomen wall

These need to be corroborated with diagnostic tests such as:
- Liver function test
- Complete blood counts
- Prothrombin time
- Scans and a Liver biopsy

TREATMENT METHODS

Not much can be done to repair the damage already caused, the treatment plan is for controlling further damage and treating complications (such as bleeding from broken blood vessels). This is managed through some medicines (diuretics, Vitamin K, antibiotics etc), lifestyle changes (avoiding alcohol) and dietary restrictions (limiting salt intake).

Banding of oesophageal varices, TIPS - Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt, removal of fluid from abdomen, may be needed.

For end stage liver disease, the only option is of liver transplant.

You may also like to learn about:

Jaundice
Splenomegaly
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Hepatitis C
Liver/hepatic failure
Liver cancer