Liver Cirrhosis-Causes, Symptoms, Prevention

What is Liver Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is the result of liver disease and its complications and is usually the last stage. Cirrhosis is a long-term chronic liver disease in which healthy liver cells are replaced by irreversible scar tissues which prevent your liver from functioning properly.

The liver tries to repair itself every time it is injured by disease, excessive alcohol consumption, or any other causes. During this process, scar tissue forms. The progression of Cirrhosis increases the formation of scar tissues making it difficult for the liver to function normally.

The liver has many important functions including, removing waste from the body- such as producing bile juices to help digest food, storing sugar that the body uses for energy, and creating new proteins.

With the onset of cirrhosis, scar tissue slows the flow of blood through the liver which over time prevents the liver from functioning the way it should.

What are the Causes of Liver Cirrhosis?

The three most common causes of cirrhosis are:

• Hepatitis and other viruses
• Chronic (long-term) Alcohol abuse
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver associated with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Other causes of Cirrhosis include:

• Autoimmune disorders, where the body’s immune system attacks the healthy tissue
• Blocked or damaged bile ducts
• Use of certain medications
• Prolonged exposure to certain toxic chemicals
• Repeated episodes of heart failure with blood build-up in the liver
• Parasite infections
• Excess iron stored in the liver (Hemochromatosis)
• Excess copper stored in the liver (Wilson disease)
• Sticky, thick mucus build up in the liver (Cystic fibrosis)

What are the Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis?

The symptoms of cirrhosis depend on the phase of your disease. Cirrhosis often indicates no signs or symptoms until the liver damage reaches the end stage.

Signs and symptoms of Cirrhosis may include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles
• Unexpected Weight loss
• Easily bleeding or bruising
• Itchy skin
• Yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes
• Fluid accumulation in your abdomen
• Spider-web-like blood vessels on your skin
• Redness in the palm
• Absent or loss of periods not related to menopause in Women
• Swelling of breasts, Loss of sex drive, and or testicular atrophy in Men
• State of Confusion, drowsiness, and developing slurred speech

Can Cirrhosis be prevented?

As cirrhosis cannot be reversed once it reaches a certain stage, prevention of further damage is often considered the best form of treatment.

Staying within the suggested limits of alcohol is highly recommended to avoid cirrhosis. Avoid alcohol if you have any other liver complications.

Eat a healthy diet. Choose a plant-based diet full of fruits and vegetables. Reduce the amount of fatty and fried foods.

Maintain a healthy weight. Excess body fat can damage your liver. Choose a weight-loss plan recommended by your doctor if you are obese or overweight.

Reduce your risk of hepatitis. Sharing needles and having unprotected sex increases the risk of developing hepatitis B and C.

Advanced stage cirrhosis is life-threatening. The liver damage done by cirrhosis generally cannot be reversed. However, if liver cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the cause is treated, further damage can be limited.