LIVER CIRRHOSIS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

The liver is one of the largest internal organs in our body and is responsible for performing many vital functions, including purifying the blood, detoxification and making essential nutrients. Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring of the liver which entails loss of liver cells and an irreversible complication. It is caused by many liver diseases such as Hepatitis B & C, and also very commonly due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Cirrhosis occurs when the liver, after each incidence of damage to itself, repairs itself and forming a scar tissue in the process. When this happens repeatedly, the multiple scar tissues hinder its functioning, eventually resulting in a severely damaged, dysfunctional liver. The severity of this condition can be gauged by the fact that there is no definite and permanent cure for cirrhosis; however, early diagnosis of this disease does help considerably in treating it.

Columbia Asia is reputed for its liver disease treatment programme in Bangalore, thanks to its with state-of-the-art infrastructure and qualified and experienced specialists, and has made a mark in backling such debilitating conditions successfully.

Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

There are many types of liver diseases that can eventually lead to cirrhosis such as long-term inflammation, infections, heart disease and many more. Some of the common types of liver diseases as well as other causes of cirrhosis are:

• Chronic alcoholism
• Viral Hepatitis (B & C)
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• Autoimmune Hepatitis, i.e. liver disease caused due to body’s immune system
• Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (destruction of the bile ducts)
• Infections such as syphilis and schistosomiasis
• Inherited diseases such as Wilson’s disease, cystic fibrosis, galactosemia, hemochromatosis etc. which interfere with the metabolic activities of the liver.
• Medications such as acetaminophen, methotrexate, poisons and environmental toxins

What are the symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis?

The symptoms appear as the liver is unable to detoxify the blood, break down toxic substances and help in absorption of nutrients. However, infected people may not always show the signs of liver disease. Some symptoms may not readily indicate that a damaged liver is the cause. The most common signs and symptoms of cirrhosis are:

• Yellow discoloration (Jaundice)
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and weakness
• Easy bruising and bleeding due to reduced production of clotting proteins by the liver
• Itchy skin
• Fluid accumulation in abdomen (Ascitis)
• Abdominal bloating
• Nausea
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Swollen ankles and legs
• Redness in the palms of the hands
• Testicular atrophy and breast enlargement in men
• Abnormal menstrual periods in women
• Difficulty in breathing
• Sensitivity to medications
• Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech
• Loss of muscle mass
• Hemorrhoids (varicose veins in the rectum)

Being a vital organ in the digestive system and having a major say in the overall well-being of a person, if a person experiences even some of the symptoms listed above, he/she must seek immediate medical care. Columbia Asia is a top surgical gastroenterology hospital in Bangalore that makes use of its state-of-the-art technology and dedicated team of hepatologists to provide top-quality diagnosis as well as treatment for all liver diseases.

Complications of Cirrhosis

The various complications of cirrhosis are:

• Increased risk of liver cancer and kidney failure
• Portal hypertension: A high blood pressure in the veins that supply blood to the liver as the normal flow of blood is reduced.
• Splenomegaly: Portal hypertension along with decreased white blood cells and platelet count can result in enlargement of the spleen.
• Hepatic encephalopathy: Confusion due to the effects of blood toxins in the brain.
• Malnutrition due to decreased capability of liver to absorb vital nutrients.
• Difficulty in fighting infections
• Greater risk of fractures due to decreased bone strength.

Columbia Asia hospitals is proficient at the complete spectrum of treatments for all kinds of liver diseases, and is especially known for its superlative gastric cancer surgery treatment in Bangalore.

Treatment for Cirrhosis

Columbia Asia Hospitals is staffed with some of the most experienced and skilled gastroenterologists in Bangalore which is one of the main reasons for its reputation in an effective treatment of complex liver diseases.  If detected in its early stages, treatment measures can minimize the damage to the liver by addressing the underlying cause. Some treatment options include:

• Medications to treat viruses causing hepatitis B or C and to prevent hepatic encephalopathy
• Stopping alcohol intake
• Reduced sodium intake in order to relieve problems caused due to fluid retention.
• Liver Transplantation