What is cirrhosis?
Liver cirrhosis, commonly known as cirrhosis, is a chronic liver disease where healthy liver tissue is gradually replaced by scar tissue. This process causes the liver's functions to deteriorate over time. The liver is a vital organ responsible for filtering blood, producing essential proteins, and storing nutrients. As the liver becomes severely damaged due to cirrhosis, these functions are impaired, leading to severe complications.
What causes cirrhosis?
The causes of this chronic liver damage vary, but the most prominent risk factors include:
- Alcohol abuse: Prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most common causes of cirrhosis. Alcohol damages liver cells, leading to inflammation and, over time, scar tissue that can develop into cirrhosis.
- Chronic Hepatitis: Viral infections such as hepatitis B and C cause chronic inflammation in the liver. If left untreated, these infections can lead to cirrhosis by damaging and scarring liver tissue.
- Fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver, often due to obesity or diabetes. If untreated, it can lead to inflammation and scarring of the liver.
- Autoimmune Diseases: In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system attacks the liver, causing damage and scarring. Examples of such diseases include autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis.
- Other risk factors: Genetic liver diseases, prolonged toxic exposure, and blockages in the bile ducts can also lead to cirrhosis.
Symptoms of cirrhosis
The symptoms of cirrhosis vary depending on the stage of the disease. Because cirrhosis develops gradually and can be asymptomatic in its early stages, it can be challenging to detect without regular medical checkups. Below is a detailed description of the different stages and common symptoms.
Cirrhosis - early stages
In the early stages of cirrhosis, symptoms are often very mild and can easily be mistaken for other conditions, making the disease difficult to identify without a medical examination. Common early symptoms include:
- Fatigue and weakness: A constant feeling of tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.
- Unexplained weight loss: Weight loss without any changes in diet or physical activity.
- Loss of appetite: Reduced appetite or a feeling of fullness after eating small amounts of food.
- Nausea: Persistent nausea can be an early sign of liver problems.
Because these symptoms can be non-specific, many people do not realize they have a liver problem at this stage.
Cirrhosis - advanced stages
As cirrhosis progresses and liver function becomes more severely impaired, symptoms become more obvious and serious. Signs of advanced cirrhosis include:
- Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to the liver's inability to process bilirubin, a substance normally excreted in bile.
- Swelling in the legs (edema): Fluid buildup in the legs and feet caused by impaired liver function and decreased levels of protein (albumin) in the blood.
- Abdominal swelling (ascites): Fluid buildup in the abdomen that can cause discomfort, difficulty breathing, and a swollen belly.
- Easy bruising and bleeding: Reduced production of clotting factors in the liver makes it harder for the body to stop bleeding, leading to bruising and spontaneous nosebleeds or bleeding in the mouth.
- Itching (pruritus): Liver problems can lead to the buildup of bile salts under the skin, causing intense itching.
- Varices in the esophagus (esophageal varices): Due to increased pressure in the blood vessels around the liver, varices can develop in the esophagus, which can lead to severe and life-threatening bleeding.
Diagnosing cirrhosis
Diagnosing cirrhosis often begins with a medical history and physical examination. Since the disease can be challenging to detect in its early stages, blood tests including liver markers such as AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and bilirubin are recommended to evaluate liver function and identify damage early.
Doctors may also use the following methods to confirm the diagnosis:
- Blood tests: To assess liver function and check for signs of liver damage.
- Ultrasound or CT scan: To visualize the structure of the liver.
- Liver biopsy: A small piece of liver tissue is taken for microscopic analysis to confirm the diagnosis.
Check Your liver health
Want to check your liver values? You can easily monitor your liver health by ordering the Liver Health Test. This test provides a complete analysis of your liver markers, including AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and bilirubin. The test is conveniently performed through a blood sample taken from the arm, giving you valuable insights into your liver function and overall health.
Treatment for cirrhosis
Treatment for cirrhosis depends on the cause and the stage of the disease. In many cases, lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment, especially if the disease is related to alcohol abuse. Quitting alcohol and following a healthy diet can help slow the progression of the disease and prevent further damage to the liver.
Medications may also be necessary to manage symptoms and complications, as well as to treat underlying causes, such as chronic hepatitis infections. Medications can improve liver function, reduce inflammation, and manage complications like high blood pressure in the liver’s blood vessels. In advanced cases where the liver has stopped functioning effectively, a liver transplant may be the only remaining treatment option. A liver transplant involves replacing the damaged liver with a healthy donor liver and can give the patient a new chance at a healthy life.