Cirrhosis of the liver is a disease that develops in the form of severe damage to the liver and losing its function day by day.
What is Cirrhosis of the Liver?
The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and has many important functions in the body. has the task. It is seen as the most vital organ of the body and has found a place for itself even in Greek Mythology with its ability to renew itself. The liver is also the production center of components that help blood clot and transport oxygen, and blood proteins that help the immune system. It provides the storage of the excess of the nutrients taken into the body and the return of some nutrients to the blood circulation. It helps the body store sugar (glucose) in the form of glycogen.
The production of bile takes place in the liver and it has an important role in the digestion of food. It ensures the removal of harmful substances circulating in the blood, including drugs and alcohol, from the body. It helps break down saturated fats and produce cholesterol. The liver, which has many other functions that can be considered very important in the body, can bring very serious health problems in case of any disease.
Cirrhosis of the liver; It is a chronic disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, which develops slowly and causes the functional and structural integrity of the liver to be lost. The resulting scar tissue blocks blood flow through the liver and slows the liver's ability to process nutrients, hormones, drugs, and natural toxins.
It also reduces the production of proteins and other substances produced by the liver. As this condition progresses, the liver is prevented from working properly. When cirrhosis is mentioned among the public, long-term and intense alcohol consumption comes to mind in general. However, studies have shown that there are many factors that can cause cirrhosis other than alcohol. All diseases that cause damage to the liver can lead to cirrhosis. If these diseases that damage the liver are not treated for a long time, the liver loses its natural structure, not to be healed again. This causes the liver to shrink over time and not be able to perform its functions.
Irreversible restructuring of the liver In the early diagnosis and treatment of liver cirrhosis, which develops with its transformation and damage, it may be possible to limit and rarely reverse the damage to the liver.
What are the Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis?
Liver There are many signs of cirrhosis, but it usually causes no signs or symptoms until liver damage has increased and spread. Still, feeling tired or weak, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, nausea and vomiting, mild pain or swelling in the upper right abdomen are among the early signs of cirrhosis.
In case of worsening of liver damage and progression of cirrhosis, easy bruising and bleeding in any part of the body, lack of attention, memory loss, personality changes or sleep disorders, edema formation in the lower legs, ankles and feet, due to acid accumulation in the abdomen Symptoms such as swelling, severe itching on the skin, darkening of the urine color, yellowing of the eyes and body due to jaundice occur. As you can see, there are many symptoms of liver cirrhosis.
All these symptoms cause serious wear on the body and irreversible damage. For this reason, it is very important for individuals with early symptoms to apply to a health institution quickly, without waiting for the appearance of late symptoms.
What are the Causes of Liver Cirrhosis?
Many diseases that will cause liver cirrhosis available. All diseases that can occur in the human body and cause damage to the liver can lead to liver cirrhosis. However, among the most common reasons; long-term exposure of the liver to viral infections such as hepatitis A, B, C, fatty liver associated with obesity and diabetes, and excessive alcohol consumption. In addition to all these;
- Cystic fibrosis,
- Decreased production of the liver enzyme called alpha-1,
- Excessive accumulation of iron in the liver and other organs,
- Abnormal storage of copper in the liver caused by Wilson's Disease,
- The body's own immune system attacks the liver or bile (autoimmune causes),
- t� �bleeding,
- Genetic digestive disorder called Alagille syndrome,
- Infectious diseases such as syphilis or brucellosis,
- Severe and Factors such as the fact that some drugs with side effects cause liver damage can cause liver cirrhosis.
How to Diagnose Liver Cirrhosis?
Since the symptoms of liver cirrhosis cannot be easily felt in the early stages, it is not possible to detect cirrhosis except for a routine control. In routine controls, if the specialist suspects cirrhosis, the individual may be asked whether he/she uses alcohol or not and his/her medical history. In addition, a manual physical examination may be performed by the physician to investigate whether the liver is softer or larger than it should be. In addition, laboratory and imaging tests are applied together to confirm the diagnosis.
In laboratory tests, the levels of some enzymes in the liver and bilirubin in the blood are checked. In order to examine kidney functions, creatinine values in the blood can be checked. Blood tests are also done to check for hepatitis viruses. Based on these results, the specialist can identify the underlying cause of liver cirrhosis. The level of cirrhosis is revealed after the tests. Imaging tests such as MRI, CT and ultrasound can also be applied to the individual. The purpose of these tests is to check the hardness and structure of the liver. These tests are sufficient for the detection of liver cirrhosis. However, physicians may also need a biopsy to learn the extent of liver damage.
The purpose of the biopsy is to take a piece of the liver and examine the current structure and condition of the organ under laboratory conditions. If the disease is still in its infancy, treatment is started and these tests continue routinely. The treatment content is planned by evaluating many factors such as the patient's age, current health status, stage of the disease, other concomitant chronic diseases and the drugs used.
What are the Treatment Methods for Liver Cirrhosis?
Each Although cirrhosis causes irreversible damage to the liver, treatments in the early stages of cirrhosis can stop the damage and allow the patient to lead a normal life for years. cirrhosis No definitive treatment has yet been found. However, by slowing the progression, symptoms and complications of liver cirrhosis, the disease can be controlled. Antiviral drugs can be used for the treatment of hepatitis diseases that cause cirrhosis. Controlling these diseases will also stop the progression of cirrhosis.
Abandoning this habit in patients who use alcohol and applying a diet in order to reach the ideal weight in obesity patients are among the treatment options. Medication can be used to prevent symptoms such as itching, fatigue and pain. In order to prevent edema in the body, diets containing low sodium are mostly applied. However, in cases of severe fluid accumulation, it may be necessary to drain the fluid in expert intervention. Blood pressure medications are used to reduce bleeding caused by swollen and ruptured blood vessels. In veins that cannot be treated with blood pressure medications, surgical intervention may be required.
Some antibiotics and vaccines may also be necessary to treat other infections. In some cases, corticosteroid-containing drugs are used in order to prevent inflammation in the liver. The specialist may perform regular tests to look for and monitor the presence of liver cancer, which can be a complication of cirrhosis. Liver transplantation is needed in patients who have reached the last stage of cirrhosis. This is an important operation. Although cadavers are mostly used for liver transplantation, if there is tissue compatibility, a part of the liver of an individual who wants to donate his liver can also be transplanted. It is helpful to pass the inspection. In liver cirrhosis, early diagnosis and treatment can be started as soon as possible, and the disease can be prevented from reaching the dimensions that require liver transplantation.
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