PHWhat Is *******ic Liver Cirrhosis?
The You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. is a large organ with an important job in your body. It filters the blood of toxins, breaks down proteins, and creates bile to help the body absorb fats. When a person drinks ******* heavily over the course of decades, the body starts to replace the liver’s healthy tissue with scar tissue. Doctors call this condition *******ic liver cirrhosis.
As the disease progresses, and more of your healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, your liver will stop functioning properly
According to the American Liver Foundation, between 10 and 20 percent of heavy drinkers will develop cirrhosis. *******ic liver cirrhosis is the most advanced form of You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. that’s related to drinking *******. The disease is part of a progression. It may start with fatty liver disease, then progress to *******ic hepatitis, and then to *******ic cirrhosis. However, it’s possible a person can develop *******ic liver cirrhosis without ever having *******ic hepatitis.
What Symptoms Are Associated With This *******ic Liver Cirrhosis?
Symptoms of *******ic liver cirrhosis typically develop when a person is between the ages of 30 and 40. Your body will be able to compensate for your liver’s limited function in the early stages of the disease. As the disease progresses, symptoms will become more noticeable.
The symptoms of *******ic liver cirrhosis are similar to other *******-related liver disorders. Symptoms include:
- You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.-Jaundice, also known as icterus, is a yellowish or greenish pigmentation of the skin and whites of the eyes due to high bilirubin levels. It is commonly associated with itchiness. The feces may be pale and the urine dark.
- You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., which increases blood pressure in the vein that travels through the liver
- You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. (pruritus)
What Causes *******ic Liver Cirrhosis?
Damage from repeated and excessive ******* abuse leads to *******ic liver cirrhosis. When the liver tissue starts to scar, the liver doesn’t work as well as it did before. As a result, the body can’t produce enough proteins or filter toxins out of the blood as it should.
Cirrhosis of the liver can occur due to a variety of causes. However, *******ic liver cirrhosis is directly related to ******* intake.
Are There Groups of People Who Are More Likely to Get This Condition?
The most significant risk factor for *******ic liver disease is ******* abuse. Typically, a person has drank heavily for at least eight years. The National Institute on ******* Abuse and *******ism defines heavy drinking as drinking five or more drinks in one day on at least five of the past 30 days.
Women are also more at-risk for *******ic liver disease. Women don’t have as many enzymes in their stomachs to break down ******* particles. Because of this, more ******* is able to reach the liver and make scar tissue.
*******ic liver disease can also have some genetic factors. For example, some people are born with a deficiency in enzymes that help to eliminate *******. You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., a high-fat diet, and having You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. can also increase a person’s likelihood they will have *******ic liver disease.
How Would a Doctor Diagnose You with *******ic Liver Cirrhosis?
Doctors can diagnose *******ic liver cirrhosis by first taking a medical history and discussing a person’s history of drinking. A doctor will also run some tests that can confirm a cirrhosis diagnosis. These results of these tests may show:
- You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. (low blood levels due to too little iron)
- high blood ammonia level
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- You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. (large amount of white blood cells)
- unhealthy liver tissue when a sample is removed from a biopsy and studied in a laboratory
- You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. that show the level of aspartate aminotransferase (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) is two times that of alanine aminotransferase (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.)
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What Complications Can *******ic Liver Cirrhosis Cause?
*******ic liver cirrhosis can cause serious complications. This is known as decompensated cirrhosis. Examples of these complications include:
- You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., or a buildup of fluid in the stomach
- You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., or mental confusion
- internal bleeding, known as bleeding varices
- You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., which makes the skin and eyes have a yellow tint
How Is *******ic Liver Cirrhosis Treated?
Doctors can reverse some forms of liver disease with treatment, but *******ic liver cirrhosis usually can’t be reversed. However, your doctor can recommend treatments that may slow the disease’s progress and reduce your symptoms.
The first step in treatment is to help the person stop drinking. Those with *******ic liver cirrhosis are often so dependent on ******* that they could experience severe health complications if they try to quit without being in the hospital. A doctor can recommend a hospital or treatment facility where a person can start the journey toward sobriety.
Other treatments a doctor may use include:
- Medications: Other medications doctors may prescribe include corticosteroids, calcium channel blockers, insulin, antioxidant supplements, and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe).
- Nutritional Counseling: ******* abuse can lead to malnutrition.
- Extra protein: Patients often require extra protein in certain forms to help reduce the likelihood for developing brain disease (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.).
- Liver Transplant: A person often must be sober for at least six months before they are considered a candidate for liver transplantt