| General Illness Information |
Common Name: |
Cirrhosis
of the liver |
|
Medical Term:
|
None Specified. |
| Description: |
Pathological process
characterized by liver fibrosis (scarring), and nodular liver cell
regeneration. Leads to loss of normal liver function.
Third leading cause of death in individuals aged 45-60 years old.
Regardless of cause, the basic
process is the same: inflammation of liver, followed by
destruction of liver cells, cell regeneration and scarring.
|
| Causes: |
Possible causes of Cirrhosis
of the Liver include: Alcohol; Certain medications (e.g. Aldomet,
Methotrexate); Exposure to toxic chemicals (eg.Trichloroethylene);
Infections-Chronic hepatitis B, C, congenital syphilis;
Cholestatic liver disease (bile duct obstruction); Metabolic
disorders (e.g. haemochromatosis, Wilson's disease); Venous
obstruction (e.g. Chronic right heart failure); Autoimmune
diseases (including autoimmune chronic hepatitis); Sarcoidosis;
Budd-Chiari syndrome (persistent obstruction to outflow of blood
from the liver); Glycogen storage disease; Diabetes; Malnutrition.
|
| Prevention: |
Obtain treatment for
alcoholism. Obtain prompt medical treatment for
hepatitis. Survey your work environment for possible
exposure to toxic chemicals.
|
| Signs
& Symptoms |
|
Early stages: |
 |
Fatigue; weakness. |
|
Enlarged liver. |
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Poor appetite; nausea;
weight loss. |
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Red palms. |
|
|
Late stages: |
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Jaundice (yellow skin
and eyes). |
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Dark yellow or brown
urine. |
|
Spider blood vessels of
the skin (fine vessels which spread out from a central
point). |
|
Hair loss. |
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Breast enlargement in
men. |
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Enlarged spleen. |
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Fluid accumulation in
the abdomen and legs. |
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Bleeding and bruising. |
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Diarrhea; stool may be
black or bloody. |
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Mental confusion. |
|
| Risk Factors |
|
Excess alcohol
consumption. Individuals vary widely in the amount and
duration of alcohol consumption necessary to cause
cirrhosis. |
|
Occupational exposure to
chemicals toxic to liver. |
|
Hepatitis. |
|
Poor nutrition. |
|
| Diagnosis & Treatment |
|
Ultrasound may show an
enlarged liver. Liver scan with a radioactive isotope
will show areas of the liver that are functioning and those
areas that are scarred. Blood test to check liver
function tests and to determine the cause of
cirrhosis. Liver biopsy- for definitive diagnosis |
|
| General
Measures: |
|
There is no cure for
cirrhosis. Treatment is supportive- includes withdrawing
toxic agents, proper nutrition, supplemental vitamins and
treatment of complications as they arise. |
|
If cirrhosis is caused
by alcoholism, stop drinking. Ask for help from family,
friends, and community agencies. Contact an Alcoholics
Anonymous group in your community. |
|
Additional information
is available from the American Liver Foundation, 1425
Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, NC 07009, (201)256-2550, or the
Canadian Liver Foundation. |
|
| Medications: |
|
Treatment for hepatitis
B or C may be possible- with the newer medications |
|
Iron supplements for
anemia resulting from hemorrhage or poor nutrition. |
|
Diuretics to reduce
fluid retention. |
|
Antibiotics, such as
neomycin, to reduce ammonia buildup. |
|
Stool softeners. |
|
| Activity: |
|
Maintain as active a life as possible.
Elevate swollen feet and legs when resting. |
|
| Diet: |
|
In the early stages, eat
a well-balanced diet that is high in carbohydrates, high in
protein and low in salt. |
|
Late stages may require
protein reduction. |
|
Vitamin and mineral
supplements may be necessary. |
|
Don't drink alcohol. |
|
| Possible
Complications : |
|
Life-threatening
hemorrhage, especially from the esophagus and stomach. |
|
Liver cancer. |
|
Body poisoning and coma
from build-up of ammonia and other body waste. |
|
Sexual impotence. |
|
| Prognosis |
|
Cirrhosis can be
arrested if the underlying cause can be removed. Liver
damage is irreversible, but symptoms can be relieved or
controlled. A near-normal life is possible if treated early
and treatment succeeds.
If the underlying cause
is not removed, liver scarring will continue, resulting in
death from liver failure. |
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| Other |
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