Liver cirrhosis is a disease characterized by the
destruction of the tissues and vascular structure of the liver.
This pathology causes the liver to harden and shrink,
significantly altering its original structure.
Over time, the liver fills with connective tissue.
This is known as scarring.
This condition alters liver functions and, when it gets
worse, puts the patient's life at greater risk.
Liver cirrhosis causes up to 800,000 deaths worldwide every
year.
On the other hand, it should be noted that this disease is more
prevalent in men than in women.
Of every three people with liver cirrhosis, only one is a
woman.
It also occurs more often in people over 50 years of age.
Causes of Liver Cirrhosis:
Liver cirrhosis is the final phase of chronic liver disease.
It does not occur from one moment to another, but is the
result of a long process which excessive alcohol consumption
especially affects.
In fact, more than half of the cases have their origin in
alcoholism.
Most of the remaining cases result from hepatitis B, C and D.
Only a small percentage is due to other causes, among which
are non-alcoholic fatty liver or nonalcoholic stetohepatitis
is a disease associated with diabetes and obesity.
Hereditary diseases such as hemochromatosis and Wilson's
disease,
Deficiency of some proteins or enzymes in metabolism.
Obstruction of the bile duct for a long time,
Drugs or medications that cause a severe reaction.
Prolonged exposure to a toxic environment,
Some heart diseases as well as autoimmune diseases.
It should also be noted that not all people who drink
alcohol develop liver cirrhosis.
This disease develops in those who consume high amounts of
alcohol on a daily basis for a prolonged period.
More than 15 years.
Of this group, one third develop liver cirrhosis disease.
Disease symptoms:
Up to 25% of those with liver cirrhosis do not have any
symptoms of the disease.
This state is known as latent liver cirrhosis.
In other cases, the symptoms are variable.
Thus, depending on the severity of each case, in the early
stages of the disease, there are some common symptoms
Asthenia, weight loss, loss of appetite, general malaise,
sensation of pressure above the navel, nausea, which may or may
not lead to vomiting.
Other characteristic symptoms of the presence of liver
cirrhosis are
• Telangiectasias or "spider veins". • Bright red lips and
tongue. • Redness of the little finger and thumb. • Completely
white nails. • Itching and thinning of the skin makes it
look wrinkled and transparent.
Sometimes the patient also has pain in the liver, frequent
bruising and fluid retention.
In the case of men, they present impotents and menstrual
disorders.
In the case of women.
If liver function worsens, a series of alterations occur.
A yellowish tint appears on the eyes and skin.
Confusion or concentration problems, inflamed veins in the
digestive tract, clay colored stools.
Diagnosis Complications and Prognosis:
Liver cirrhosis caused by excessive consumption of
alcohol, toxic substances or medications is almost always
preliminary diagnosed after an interview with the patient.
This is complemented by a physical examination looking
for the characteristic manifestations of the disease.
Usually some tests are also carried out to confirm the
presence of liver cirrhosis.
The most frequent are MRI of the abdomen, albumin level in
the blood.
Liver function tests, complete blood count, Prothrombin time,
abdominal tomography, abdominal ultrasound, liver biopsy,
endoscopy, if liver cirrhosis progresses to cause significant
damage, the chances of recovery are slim to none.
If the disease is discovered and treated early, expectations
are more encouraging.
Thus, the disease can give rise to various complications in
advanced stages.
The main ones are ascites or fluid accumulation in the
abdomen, bacterial peritonitis, portal hypertension, varices in
the esophagus, kidney failure, hepatic coma and liver cancer.
As the liver is a vital organ, its malfunction could also
affect the body's response to infections and limit medical
treatments for other diseases.