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Liver Cirhosis
Liver Cirhosis
1. Cirrhosis refers to the replacement of normal liver tissue with non-living scar tissue. It
is always related to other liver diseases.
2. The most common causes of Cirrhosis are Hepatitis C, Alcohol-related Liver Disease,
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (now called metabolic dysfunction-associated
steatotic liver disease or MASLD), and Hepatitis B.
3. Many people with Cirrhosis have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.
4. Alcohol remains the second most common cause of liver Cirrhosis after hepatitis C
virus.
Cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver – hard scar tissue replaces soft healthy tissue. It is caused by
swelling and inflammation.
As cirrhosis becomes worse, the liver will have less healthy tissue. If cirrhosis is not treated, the
liver will fail and will not be able to work well or at all.
Cirrhosis is caused by chronic (long-term) liver diseases that damage liver tissue. It can take
many years for liver damage to lead to cirrhosis.
Chronic Alcoholism
Chronic alcoholism is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis in the United States. Drinking too
much alcohol can cause the liver to swell, which over time can lead to cirrhosis. The amount of
alcohol that causes cirrhosis is different for each person.
Genetic diseases
Some genetic diseases can lead to cirrhosis. These diseases include Wilson disease,
hemochromatosis, glycogen storage diseases, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and autoimmune
hepatitis.
There are usually no symptoms of cirrhosis in its early stage. Over time, cirrhosis may cause
symptoms and complications:
Symptoms
Loss of appetite
Tiredness
Nausea
Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Spider-like blood vessels
Severe itching
Complications
Cirrhosis is diagnosed by symptoms, blood tests, medical history, and physical examination. A
liver biopsy may be needed to check how much of the liver has been damaged. During a biopsy,
a small piece of liver tissue is removed and studied in the lab, and additional imaging may be
needed.
Treatment options for cirrhosis depend on the cause and the level of liver damage. Depending on
the disease causing cirrhosis, medications or lifestyle changes may be used for treatment. The
goals of treatment are to prevent further liver damage and reduce complications.
When cirrhosis cannot be treated, the condition is known as End-Stage Liver Disease, or ESLD.
ESLD includes a subgroup of patients with cirrhosis who have signs of decompensation that is
generally irreversible with medical management other than transplant. Decompensation includes
hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleed, kidney impairment, ascites, lung issues. The
decompensated liver disease allows these ESLD patients to be prioritized on the transplant list
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