Cirrhosis of the Liver

Just above the right upper abdomen, under the right lung is the largest internal organ of the body located. This organ is none other than the multifunctional liver. The liver is one organ that can perform multiple tasks in one time.

The liver can produce cholesterol, make proteins, store and release glucose in form of energy, eliminate waste from the body and metabolize various toxins and medications in the body system. If that's not enough, liver function also includes production of bile through ducts and releasing it into the intestine.

Thus, helping in digestion of food. And what makes this organ totally unique is its ability to regenerate itself when it is damaged or partially removed. However, with years of abuse especially in cases of alcoholics, the liver finally gives up.

It can develop a condition called cirrhosis and cease some of its normal functions leading to havoc within the body.

The progressive scarring of the tissue in the liver that leads to scars on the normal tissues is called cirrhosis of the liver. This permanent damage or scarring of the liver leads to blockage of blood flow within the liver.

The liver becomes distorted in shape, hardens and forms lumps. The blockage prevent the normal functioning of the liver like metabolism and regulation process leading to different health problems.

There are several liver cirrhosis causes that includes either of the following:

• Chronic alcoholism
• Chronic viral infection by Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and D
• Wilson's disease (abnormal storage of copper)
• Haemochromatosis (abnormal storage of iron)
• Cystic fibrosis

• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Blocked bile ducts
• Toxic hepatitis caused by reaction to medications and toxins
• Alpha - 1 - antitrypsin deficiency
• Galactosemia and glycogen storage disorders

• Chronic heart failure with liver congestion
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Cryptogenic cirrhosis

The early stages of liver cirrhosis exhibit very few symptoms. However, some of the symptoms of the condition include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Loss of weight
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Lethargy

As the disease progresses, the liver cirrhosis symptoms become more and more serious. Some of these signs and symptoms include the following:

Edema
The liver produces albumin that is a protein that helps in retention of fluid in the blood vessels. However, during liver cirrhosis the albumin levels falls in blood and the fluid seeps into the tissues of abdomen as well as legs. This leads to edema of the legs and ascites of the abdomen leading to swellings.

Jaundice
Jaundice is an important symptom that shows the liver is not functioning properly. The bile produced by the liver enters the blood system and causes the skin and eyes to become yellow. The urine too turns into a dark color indicating liver problems.

Itchy Skin
Intensely itchy skin is indication of chronic bile duct blockage seen in some types of cirrhosis.

Gallstones
Gallstones are seen in patients with abnormal metabolism of bile pigment caused by cirrhosis.

Coagulation Defects
The proteins that help in blood clotting are produced by the liver. When the liver stops producing these proteins in the required levels, it causes abnormal bleeding that takes longer than usual to clot.

Spider Naevi
The dilated blood vessels in the skin with a spidery appearance are seen on the face and chest of individuals.

Gynaecomastia
Gynaecomastia or enlargement of the breast is seen in men with liver cirrhosis. This condition is caused as estrogen is not broken down by the liver cells and causes it to build up within the body of the patient.

Mental Disorders
When the toxins are not filtered out of the body it causes various mental concentration problems like forgetfulness, inability to carry out simple tasks, changes in personality and in extreme cases coma.

There are four cirrhosis of liver stages that are seen in patients. The first two liver cirrhosis stages are placed into the compensated stage. There is gradual deterioration of the liver functions. The body starts compensating for its lack of functioning liver.

This stage is almost impossible to detect and only a liver biopsy can help confirm damage to liver cells. Next comes the decompensated stage, that includes both the 3 and 4 liver cirrhosis stages.

The liver is extensively damaged and this leads to life-threatening complications. The patient suffers from serious symptoms that may lead to coma.

Treatment is based on the type and cause of cirrhosis. Once the liver is extensively damaged, it cannot be reserved. However, proper liver cirrhosis treatment can help in putting a stop to further damage. Edema and ascites can be treated with diuretics that helps in treatment of water retention.

The deficiencies in the body can be overcome with the help of mineral and vitamin supplements. The patient maybe advised sugar based drinks to maintain the nutrition as well as energy levels.

In case of constipation and reduction of toxic substances from the body, laxatives maybe advised. This will help prevent the toxins to reach the brain and cause confusion and coma.

Patients with ruptured varicose vein in the lower esophagus may be treated with propranolol that helps in reduction of pressure in the vein and lowering the chances of bleeding. In case of stages 3 or 4, when the liver is extensively and irreparably damaged, liver transplantation is the only option.

The diet aims to help people with this condition lower the risks of further damage to the organ. A patient with cirrhosis should maintain a healthy weight in order to stay healthy. They need to include fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in their liver cirrhosis diet.

Abstain from alcohol completely if you do not want to end up with a complete loss of liver functioning. You need to limit your salt intake and eat more of calories as well as proteins. Your diet should include a low-fat foods and fat soluble vitamins like vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E.

The prognosis depends on the stage and cause of the condition. The 12th leading cause of death in the year 2006 for Americans was termed as cirrhosis. This shows that the cirrhosis life expectancy is less than half of the expected normal life. Once affected by cirrhosis, the liver cannot become normal again.

The best way to increase life expectancy is to curb the disease in its initial stages. Continued use of alcohol will lead to irreversible damage. In order to make the prognosis in an individual case look brighter, it is better to maintain a alcohol free healthy lifestyle.

If one is a chronic alcoholic or has suffered from chronic hepatitis, make sure you get your liver checked regularly for cirrhosis. The condition caught early on has better prognosis than the end stages. If you have any doubts, speak to your doctor regarding liver cirrhosis.