The liver is responsible for several necessary functions of the body. It detoxifies harmful substances from the body, cleans the blood, and makes vital nutrients.
Cirrhosis is a late stage scarring from damage to the liver, which, if left untreated, may cause the live to become so seriously scarred that it can no longer heal itself. While cirrhosis is damage that cannot be reversed, if diagnosed early and the cause is treated, further damage can be limited. Without treatment, it becomes difficult for the liver to function and can lead to a number of complications, including liver cancer. In some people, the symptoms of cirrhosis may be the first signs of liver disease.
Signs & Symptoms of Cirrhosis
- Fatigue
- Bleeding easily
- Bruising easily
- Itchy skin
- Yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes, jaundice
- Fluid accumulation in abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Swelling in legs
- Weight loss
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
- Spider-like blood vessels on skin
Causes of Cirrhosis
- Iron buildup
- Cystic fibrosis
- Copper accumulation
- Poorly formed bile ducts
- Inherited disorders of sugar metabolism
- Genetic digestive disorder
- Liver disease
- Chronic alcohol abuse
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis B
- Fat accumulating in the liver
- Destruction of the bile ducts
- Hardening and scarring of the bile ducts
- Infection by a parasite
Diagnosis of Cirrhosis
- Liver function blood test
- Kidney function blood test
- Hhepatitis B and C tests
- International normalized ratio (INR) test for clotting
- Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE)
- MRI
- CT scan
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy
Treatment of Cirrhosis
- Treatment for alcohol dependency
- Weight loss
- Medications
- Antibiotics for infections
- Liver transplant surgery
You can trust the highly experienced, board-certified gastroenterologists at Atlantic Digestive Specialists to provide you with personal care and the latest diagnostic and treatment capabilities. Experts in treating cirrhosis, contact us now.
