Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. The liver carries out several necessary functions, including detoxifying harmful substances in your body, cleaning your blood and making vital nutrients.
Cirrhosis occurs in response to damage to your liver. Each time your liver is injured, 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.
Decompensated cirrhosis is the term used to describe the development of specific complications resulting from the changes brought on by cirrhosis. Decompensated cirrhosis is life-threatening.
The liver damage done by cirrhosis generally can't be undone. But if liver cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the cause is treated, further damage can be limited and, rarely, reversed.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Cirrhosis often has no signs or symptoms until liver damage is extensive. When signs and symptoms do occur, they may include:
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
A wide range of diseases and conditions can damage the liver and lead to cirrhosis. The most common causes are:
Other possible causes include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
People with early-stage cirrhosis of the liver usually don't have symptoms. Often, cirrhosis is first detected through a routine blood test or checkup. Your doctor may order one or more laboratory tests that may suggest a problem with your liver, such as cirrhosis.
Laboratory tests:
Your doctor may order imaging and other tests to further diagnose cirrhosis:
If you have cirrhosis, your doctor is likely to recommend regular diagnostic tests to monitor for signs of disease progression or complications, especially esophageal varices and liver cancer.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Complications of cirrhosis can include:
Complications related to blood flow:
Other complications:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Reduce your risk of cirrhosis by taking care of your liver
If you're concerned about your risk of liver cirrhosis, talk to your doctor about ways you can reduce your risk.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
A number of alternative medicines have been used to treat liver diseases. Milk thistle (silymarin) is the most widely used and best studied. Other herbs used include licorice root (glycyrrhiza), schisandra and astragalus. However, there is not enough evidence of benefit from clinical trials to recommend the use of any herbal products to treat liver cirrhosis. In addition, herbal medications represent an increasing percentage of reported cases of drug-induced liver injury. Talk with your doctor if you're interested in trying alternative medicine to help you cope with cirrhosis.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
If you have cirrhosis, be careful to limit additional liver damage:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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