About Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis: This disease is caused by damage to the liver cells. A normal liver becomes stiff due to cell damage. The liver overproduces other types of cells to replace the damaged cells. But due to insufficient blood supply to these cells, the liver is unable to perform its work efficiently. For example, the inability to remove toxins that enter the body through the blood. Portal hypertension can lead to more serious problems in the blood vessels that lead from the intestines and spleen to the liver because the liver can’t do its job properly. Cirrhosis is more common in men. It usually appears after 30 and worsens after 40.
Features
- Even after the onset of the disease, sometimes patients appear normal for up to six years without any symptoms.
- Appears light in color.
- Feeling sick and weak.
- anemia.
- Numbness in feet and fingers.
- Loss of appetite, weight loss.
- Swelling of the face along with legs and arms.
- Stomach bloating with water.
- Male breasts develop when the liver is not able to suppress the production of the female hormone, which is produced very little in men.
- Shrinking of the testicles.
- Loss of interest in sex.
How Long Does Cirrhosis Last?
Alcohol-induced cirrhosis is relieved when the patient stops drinking. After a year or two, he can lead a normal life if there are no complications. If you don’t stop drinking, your liver will be destroyed, and you will soon die.
Reasons For Cirrhosis
- Most of the cases are due to alcoholism.
- If you have cirrhosis for any other reason, you should not drink alcohol, as doing so will make it worse.
- Hepatitis B virus is the cause.
- Implications
- Piles may occur.
- Blood vessels inside the esophagus burst and vomit blood.
- Accumulation of water in the stomach
- Liver cancer
- Due to liver dysfunction, toxins enter the patient’s brain through the blood and lead to a coma. Before going into a coma, there are symptoms such as agitation and frantic talking, regardless of the environment.
How To Diagnose Cirrhosis?
If it is known that it is not due to drinking, blood tests will be done to determine the extent of liver damage and the cause. Diagnosis is made after biopsy. If cirrhosis is suspected, an ‘endoscope’ test is performed, like a diagnosis of bulging blood vessels in the esophagus. Cirrhosis can also be diagnosed by sound scanning tests and gamma camera scan tests.
Treatment Of Cirrhosis
When the liver is damaged, slow progression of cirrhosis is attempted. If the patient abstains from alcohol, the condition will improve further. If cirrhosis is caused by a cause other than alcohol, treatment is given according to the underlying cause. A special treatment called TIPS is available for people whose cirrhosis does not go away with medication. In this treatment, a special spring is sent to the liver through a blood vessel in the neck to reroute blood flow. Those who are not helped by TIPS treatment should undergo a liver transplant. This liver transplant treatment is currently available in our country as well.