What is Liver Cirrhosis?

Liver Cirrhosis is a late-stage diseased condition of the liver where the liver is damaged permanently, and there is a replacement of healthy tissues in the liver with scar tissues (tissues that block blood flow and keep your liver from properly functioning). In addition to blood flow obstruction, scar tissues slow the ability of the liver to use or process hormones, nutrients, natural toxins (poisons), and drugs. Also, it lowers the production of substances like protein, etc., by the liver.

Liver cirrhosis affects at most 1 in 400 adults in the United States, as estimated by scientists. The age group most naturally impacted by cirrhosis of the liver is between 45-54, and about 1 in 200 adults is involved. Liver Cirrhosis is the seventh foremost grounds for death in the United States, and an estimated number of 26,000 deaths arise every year in the United States as a result of this condition.

Who Is at Risk of Having Liver Cirrhosis?

You are at risk of having liver cirrhosis if you:

• Are obese
• Are involved in prolonged abuse of alcohol for years
• Have viral hepatitis.
• Engage in unprotected sex
• Have diabetes
• Share needles with others; could be during drug/medication injection
• Have liver disease history

What Are the Causes of Liver Cirrhosis?

The most standard causes of liver cirrhosis include:

• Chronic liver infection, particularly viral infections (could either be Hepatitis B or C).
• Alcohol abuse: Chronic use of alcohol could pre-dispose you to the risk of liver cirrhosis.
• Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A condition whereby there is an accumulation of fats in the liver due to diabetes or obesity.

What Are the Complications of Cirrhosis?

A lot of complications can arise from liver cirrhosis. Since it could take several years for cirrhosis to grow, the first noticeable sign and symptom of the disease may be these complications:

• Portal hypertension: This is a common serious complication; in which there is an increase in the amount of pressure in your portal vein (the large blood vessel that transports blood to the liver from the digestive organs). This increase in pressure arises due to blood flow obstruction in your liver caused by cirrhosis. When there is a partial stoppage of blood flow through the portal veins, veins in the stomach, esophagus, or intestines can become engorged (a condition known as varicose). As there is a continuous increase in pressure in these veins, the veins either burst or bleed, causing severe internal bleeding.

Other complications of portal hypertension can include:

• Ascites: fluids buildup in the abdomen.
• Edema: swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs.
• Splenomegaly: Enlargement or swelling of the spleen
• Expansion of blood vessels in the lungs: A condition known as Hepatopulmonary syndrome. This expansion leads to low levels of oxygen in the body and blood and can cause shortness of breath.
• Failure of kidney function due to portal hypertension: A kidney failure condition known as a hepatorenal syndrome. This situation can result in shortness of breath.
• Behavioral changes, confusion, and difficulty in thinking: This is due to a condition known as hepatic encephalopathy, and it happens when toxins from

How is Cirrhosis of the Liver Diagnosed?

Before diagnosis takes place, you will be questioned on your medical history and drugs used. You will also be asked about the type of supplements or herbal products used. The following tests will be performed by your healthcare provider to help with your cirrhosis diagnosis:

1. Physical Exam: You will be examined by your doctor to look out for any visible signs and symptoms of cirrhosis, and these signs/symptoms include:
2. Examination of your skin: You will be diagnosed with liver cirrhosis if there are red, yellowish, spider-like blood vessels on your skin, bruises on your skin, swelling, tenderness or pain in your abdomen, redness on your palms, having a rough texture on the part of your liver below where the rib cage is located.
3. Blood tests: Your blood specimen will be taken to be tested for signs of liver disease.

Liver damage signs include:

• Higher level of Iron: This could indicate hemochromatosis condition.
• Presence of autoantibodies: This could signify primary biliary cirrhosis or autoimmune hepatitis.
• High white blood cell count: This shows the presence of an infection
• High creatinine level: This is a sign of kidney disease that could indicate late-stage cirrhosis.
• Lower levels of blood clotting factors and albumin than normal: This means your liver has lost its ability of protein production.
• Lower levels of sodium: This is an indicator of cirrhosis.
• Increased levels of liver enzymes: This could indicate inflammation.
• Increased level of alpha-fetoprotein: This indicates the presence of liver cancer.

4. Imaging tests: Imaging tests help display the shape, size, and texture of the liver. They also determine the amount of fat and scarring in your liver and abdominal fluid. These tests could include abdominal ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests help identify bile duct problems, enlarged veins (Varices), or bleeding in your stomach, esophagus, or intestines.
5. Biopsy: Here, a sample of liver tissue is detached from your liver and examined using a microscope. Biopsy of the liver can confirm the presence of cirrhosis, as well as determine the degree or causes of liver damage.

How is Liver Cirrhosis Treated?

Treatment of this condition depends on the cause of cirrhosis and the extent or degree of liver damage. There is currently no cure for cirrhosis. However, treatments can help delay progression and decrease complications.

Liver cirrhosis treatments according to the causes include:

1. Alcohol abuse: Seek recommendations from your healthcare for treatment programs (alcohol addiction) if you develop liver cirrhosis from alcohol abuse.
2. Hepatitis B or C: There are available antiviral medications approved to help treat liver cirrhosis that arises from hepatitis B and C infection.
3. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be managed through healthy diet consumption, weight loss, regular physical exercise.
4. Inherited liver diseases: Treatment depends on the type of disease inherited. For example, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency treatment may include medicine to treat complications, decrease abdominal and leg swelling, and antibiotics to treat infections. For hemochromatosis, treatment involves the removal of blood to decrease the level of iron concentration in your blood, etc.
5. Autoimmune hepatitis: There are medications that can help suppress your immune system hyperactivity.
6. Diseases that cause liver damage or obstruct bile ducts in the liver: These can be treated using medications such as Ursodiol or Surgery to open narrowed or clear blocked bile ducts.
7. Heart failure: Heart failure treatment includes medications such as high blood pressure drugs, cholesterol reduction drugs, excess fluids removal drugs from your body. These drugs help improve heart pumping function. Other treatment options include the implantation of devices to help monitor heart rhythm or pump blood. Surgeries to open blocked arteries, repair heart valves, or carry out a heart transplant.
8. Medications that may contribute to cirrhosis: Your medications may be reviewed by your healthcare to determine or confirm if they are causes of your liver problems. If they are, you will be told to stop the usage of the drugs or, better still, will be prescribed other drugs.

How Can Liver Cirrhosis Be Prevented?

The following prevention tips can help prevent the risk of having cirrhosis of the liver.

These tips include:

• Eating a healthy diet. A healthy diet involves a low-fat and well-balanced diet. This should comprise vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Also, reduce the amount of salt you utilize in seasoning your food.
• Exercise regularly to help maintain healthy body weight.
• Limit the amount of drink you consume. For women, it is advised you do not take more than one drink daily, and for men, do not take more than two drinks a day. Doing otherwise can increase your chances of having liver cirrhosis.
• Ensure to go for regular check-ups. Medical recommendations should be followed to control conditions such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides, bad high cholesterol, and good low cholesterol.
• Quit smoking
• Keep all appointments and take all medications as prescribed by your doctor or healthcare provider.
• Vaccinate yourself against Hepatitis B and get your annual flu shot.
• Avoid high-risk behaviors such as sharing needles for illicit drug use or having unprotected sex to prevent infections such as Hepatitis B or C.
• Avoid the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib, and aspirin. Also, avoid a high dosage of acetaminophen, as they can worsen or increase your risk of liver infection.

Conclusion

Liver cirrhosis is a life-threatening condition where immediate medical attention is required. As explained above, liver cirrhosis has no cure yet, as your liver is permanently damaged. Regardless, there are efforts that can be taken to manage the condition and delay further progression. Treatment and medications will be proffered to you based on the cause of your cirrhosis. It is paramount you heed the recommendations from your doctor, physician, and healthcare provider-get vaccinated, eat healthily, exercise frequently, quit smoking, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and more to prevent further deterioration of your health condition.