Liver Cirrhosis - Its Symptoms, Diagnosis and Prevention

Dr.Sharad Malhotra, 3 mins read

Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissues and the liver gets permanently damaged. The scar tissues block the blood flow through the liver and thus slow down the natural process of absorbing nutrients, hormones, drugs, and natural toxins (poisons). It also reduces the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver.

STAGES OF LIVER FAILURE

1. Inflammation- In this early stage, the liver gets enlarged or inflamed.

2. Fibrosis- Scar tissue begins to replace healthy tissue in the inflamed liver.

3. Cirrhosis- Severe scarring has taken place, making it difficult for the liver to function properly.

4. End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD)- Liver function has deteriorated to the point where the damage cannot be reversed other than through a liver transplant.

5. Liver Cancer- The development and multiplication of unhealthy cells in the liver can occur at any stage of liver failure, although people with cirrhosis are more at risk.

Cirrhosis Vs Cancer

Cirrhosis of the liver is not cancer. However, people who have liver cancer can have cirrhosis. Cirrhosis increases the risk of liver cancer. Hepatitis B, and C, also increase the risk of liver cancer as these diseases often lead to cirrhosis.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cirrhosis depend on the stage of the disease. The initial stage might not have symptoms and could easily be mistaken for symptoms of many other diseases and illnesses.

Early symptoms of cirrhosis include:

Loss of appetite
Feeling weak or tired
Nausea
Fever
Unexpected weight loss

As liver function worsens, other more commonly recognized symptoms of cirrhosis appear including:

Easy bruising and bleeding
Yellow tint of skin
Itchy skin
Swelling (edema) in legs, feet, and ankles
Fluid buildup in belly/abdomen (ascites)
The brownish or orange color of urine
Light-colored stools
Blood in stool
Redness in the palms
In men: loss of sex drive, enlarged breasts (gynecomastia), shrunken testicles.
In women: premature menopause (no longer have a menstrual period).

DIAGNOSIS

A long history of alcohol abuse, injectable drug abuse, or have suffered from hepatitis B or C or any other symptoms discussed above.

Blood tests: If a doctor suspects cirrhosis, tests for albumin and blood clotting factors are given. If the results come in lower levels that means the liver has lost its ability to make these proteins, raised levels of liver enzymes (suggests inflammation), Higher level of iron (may indicate hemochromatosis), presence of autoantibodies (may indicate autoimmune hepatitis or primary biliary cirrhosis), raised bilirubin level (suggests liver isn’t working correctly to remove bilirubin from the blood), high white blood cell count (indicates an infection), high creatinine level (a sign of kidney disease that suggests late-stage cirrhosis), lower levels of sodium (is an indicator of cirrhosis), raised the level of alpha-fetoprotein (indicates the presence of liver cancer).

Imaging tests (CT & MRI): This shows the liver's size, shape, and texture. These tests can also determine the amount of scarring and fat on the liver and fluid in the abdomen.

Biopsy: A sample of liver tissue (biopsy) is taken from the liver and examined to confirm a diagnosis of cirrhosis, determine other causes or extent of liver damage or enlargement or diagnose liver cancer.

PREVENTION:-

There is no cure for cirrhosis. The damage is permanent, but actions can be taken depending on the stage and cause to prevent cirrhosis from worsening.

Stop drinking alcohol
Treat chronic hepatitis
Avoid medications that stress the liver
Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. A well-balanced healthy diet consists of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
Raw seafood, especially oysters and clams can be avoided. These foods can contain a bacterium that causes serious illness.
Cut back on the amount of salt in the diet.
Maintain a healthy weight. Excess body fat can damage the liver.
Exercise regularly.
Get Hepatitis vaccines

Although there is no cure for cirrhosis, treatments can delay or stop its progress and reduce complications.

The comprehensive gastroenterology and hepatology department of Aakash Healthcare and Super Speciality Hospital provides a wide range of services from complex liver disease management to hepato-pancreato-biliary problems. The team of best gastroenterologists/hepatologists of Delhi are here in Aakash healthcare, Dwarka, and have proven track records to treat complex cirrhosis of the liver. The department offers state of art endoscopy procedures, 24 x7 gastrointestinal bleed management, chronic liver cirrhosis problems, chronic liver diseases, and all gastrointestinal and liver emergencies in OPD, IPD, and ICU care.

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