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 the above-mentioned symptoms, and is confirmed by the 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
