Cirrhosis is a disorder of the liver that, in its early stages, has few symptoms but can progress and result in death. Late stage of this disorder usually takes years to develop. In most countries treatment is available that can help slow its progression.
What is cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver caused by long-term liver damage. The scar tissue prevents the liver from working properly. Cirrhosis is caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism.
Every time the liver is injured — whether by disease, excessive alcohol consumption or another cause — it tries to repair itself. In the process, scar tissue forms. As cirrhosis progresses more and more scar tissue forms, making it difficult for the liver to function. If this process continues without treatment the liver will eventually cease to function. Advanced cirrhosis is life-threatening.
What causes cirrhosis?
There are many causes of cirrhosis. The most common causes are alcohol addiction and a long-term hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection.
Other causes include:
• Cystic fibrosis
• Obesity
• Diseases that make it hard for your body to process sugars
• Too much iron buildup in your body
• Wilson’s disease – where too much copper is stored in the liver
• Autoimmune diseases that cause your body to attack liver cells
• Blockage of the bile duct
• Certain genetic digestive disorders
• Some infections, including syphilis and brucellosis
• Bad reactions to certain medications
Alcohol consumption
Drinking too much alcohol can damage your liver’s cells.
Alcohol-related cirrhosis usually develops after 10 or more years of heavy drinking.
Women who drink heavily are more likely to get liver damage than men, partly because of their different size and build.
You should stop drinking alcohol immediately if you have alcohol-related cirrhosis. Alcohol speeds up the rate at which cirrhosis progresses, regardless of the cause.
What are some signs and symptoms of cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis often has no signs or symptoms until liver damage is extensive. When signs and symptoms do occur, they may include:
• Fatigue
• Easily bleeding or bruising
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Swelling in your legs, feet or ankles
• Weight loss
• Itchy skin
• Yellow discolouration in the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Fluid accumulation in your abdomen
• Redness in the palms of the hands
• For men, loss of sex drive, breast enlargement (gynecomastia) or testicular atrophy
• Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)
Diagnosis
In the early stages, cirrhosis might not have any symptoms. A regular medical check-up might lead to the diagnosis. If your doctor suspects cirrhosis, he or she will check your medical history and carry out a physical examination to look for signs of long-term liver disease. You will then have test and other investigations to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
At this time there is no cure for cirrhosis, but it is possible to successfully manage symptoms and complications and also slow the progression of the disease.
Your treatment of cirrhosis depends on how badly your liver is injured.
You may be advised to cut down on or stop drinking alcohol, or lose weight if you are overweight.
Treating the underlying cause, such as using anti-viral medication to treat a hepatitis C infection, can also stop cirrhosis getting worse.
If your liver is severely scarred, it can stop functioning. In this case, a liver transplant is the only treatment option.
Prevention
A healthy lifestyle is important in helping to prevent cirrhosis. If you drink alcohol, it is important to be moderate. If you are a man, do not have more than two drinks a day. If you are a woman, your limit should be one drink. If you have an addiction to alcohol, talk to your doctor about ways to quit.
Avoid risky behaviours that can lead to infections of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Do not share needles when using illicit drugs, and use a condom when engaging in sexual activity.
Individuals are encouraged to maintain a healthy weight by eating healthy and having regular physical activity.
Conclusion
Cirrhosis results from damage to the liver. Excessive alcohol use is a leading cause of liver damage in Anguilla. There is no cure for cirrhosis, but symptoms can be managed and further progression of the disease can be halted once the diagnosis is confirmed and managed by your healthcare provider. If there is severe liver damage, cirrhosis can be life-threatening and can lead to death in the absence of a liver transplant.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-six years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5928).
