The Liver:
The liver is a large organ located in the upper right part of the abdomen, beneath the ribcage. It performs many vital functions necessary for life.
Liver Cirrhosis:
Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is permanently damaged, and scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, preventing the liver from functioning properly. This scarring also partially blocks blood flow through the liver. As the condition worsens, the liver begins to fail.
Cause:
In a healthy liver, the organ can repair itself when injured. However, the healing process involves forming scar tissue (fibrous tissue made of collagen fibers). Repeated or ongoing liver injury can lead to extensive scarring. Cirrhosis results from chronic (long-term) liver diseases that damage liver tissue and may take years to develop. Some patients may have more than one cause of liver damage.
Most common causes:
- Alcohol consumption.
- Chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B or C).
- Fatty liver disease, commonly seen in individuals with obesity or diabetes.
Risk Factors:
- Alcohol use
- Type 2 diabetes and obesity
- Male gender (more common in men than women).
- Age over 50 years.
Symptoms:
Symptoms may not appear until the liver is severely damaged. Early symptoms include:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Poor appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vomiting and nausea
- Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
As liver function deteriorates, additional symptoms may appear:
- Easy bruising and bleeding.
- Swelling in the lower legs, ankles, or feet.
- Abdominal bloating due to fluid buildup (ascites).
- Severe skin itching.
- Dark-colored urine.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
- Gastrointestinal bleeding due to enlarged veins in the digestive tract, especially the lower esophagus (esophageal varices).
Complications:
- Bleeding from esophageal varices (vomiting blood).
- Ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen).
- Bacterial infection in the abdominal fluid.
- Hepatic encephalopathy (due to toxin buildup in the brain, causing confusion, memory loss, personality changes, or sleep disorders).
- Hepatorenal syndrome (a type of kidney failure due to cirrhosis).
- Cardiac and pulmonary complications.
- Liver cancer.
- Bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
- Gallstones.
- Bile duct problems (tubes that carry bile from the liver).
- Malabsorption and malnutrition
- Easy bruising and bleeding
Treatment:
There are no specific treatments that can cure cirrhosis. However, many of the underlying causes can be treated. Managing the root causes may slow the progression of the disease and help prevent liver failure.
Guidelines for Patients with Cirrhosis:
- Follow a healthy, balanced diet.
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish, fish, or meat, as these may carry bacteria that cause severe infections.
- Limit salt intake in the diet and reduce fat or protein intake according to healthcare provider recommendations.
- Stop drinking alcohol, as it can further damage the liver.
- Discuss all medications, vitamins, and supplements with the doctor.
- Talk to the doctor about getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.
- Avoid sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes, or other personal items with others.