Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is the disease of liver characterized by hardening and fibrosis of liver.

Causes of Cirrhosis are

• Excessive alcohol intake
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (Which occurs mostly in overweight individuals).
• Wilson disease
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Hemochromatosis.

Symptoms of Cirrhosis are

• Individuals with cirrhosis may be totally asymptomatic, and diagnosed on imaging on blood tests
• Weakness and fatigue
• Fluid in abdomen (ascites) and swelling of feet (pedal edema)
• Vomiting of blood
• Black stool
• Altered behavior or unconsciousness
• Decreased urine output

Cirrhosis is suspected in the patients with above mentioned symptoms, and is confirmed by following investigations

• LFT
• Ultrasonography
• Fibroscan
• Liver Biopsy
• CT scan and MRI

Treatment of Cirrhosis includes

• Management of complications
• Diet rich in calories and protein for the nutritional build up
• Diuretics and salt restriction for fluid overload
• Beta blockers, Endoscopy and banding for variceal bleed
• Laxatives and L-ornithine L-Aspartate in patients with hepatic encephalopathy
• Liver transplant may be only options in patients with advanced liver disease
• Reversal of disease with the treatment of underlying etiology
• Stopping alcohol
• Antiviral for Hepatitis B and C
• Steroids for autoimmune Hepatitis
• Copper chelation for Wilson disease
• Iron chelation for Hemochromatosis