Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease characterized by the progressive scarring (fibrosis) of liver tissue, leading to impaired liver function and potential liver failure. It can result from various causes, including chronic hepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune liver diseases, and certain genetic disorders. Our Gastroenterology Department specializes in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of cirrhosis, focusing on preventing disease progression and improving quality of life for affected individuals.

Symptoms:

Cirrhosis can present with a wide range of symptoms, which may include fatigue, weakness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), itching, abdominal swelling (ascites), leg swelling (edema), easy bruising and bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding (from varices), confusion, and coma (hepatic encephalopathy). However, some individuals with cirrhosis may remain asymptomatic until advanced stages of the disease, highlighting the importance of regular medical check-ups and monitoring for high-risk individuals.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosing cirrhosis involves a comprehensive clinical assessment, blood tests to evaluate liver function and assess for markers of liver damage (such as ALT, AST, bilirubin, and albumin), imaging studies (such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI) to visualize liver structure and assess for signs of cirrhosis and complications, and occasionally, liver biopsy to confirm the presence and severity of liver fibrosis.

Treatment:

The management of cirrhosis aims to slow disease progression, prevent complications, and improve quality of life. Treatment strategies may include addressing the underlying cause of cirrhosis (such as treating chronic viral hepatitis or abstaining from alcohol), managing complications (such as ascites, varices, hepatic encephalopathy, and liver cancer), and promoting liver regeneration and function.

Lifestyle Modifications:

Patients with cirrhosis are advised to adopt lifestyle changes to support liver health and minimize further liver damage, including abstaining from alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet low in salt and fat, avoiding hepatotoxic medications, exercising regularly, and getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B to prevent additional liver injury.

Medications:

Depending on the specific complications associated with cirrhosis, various medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. These may include diuretics to treat ascites, beta-blockers to prevent variceal bleeding, lactulose or rifaximin to manage hepatic encephalopathy, and antiviral medications for chronic viral hepatitis. In advanced cases of cirrhosis where liver function is severely compromised and complications are life-threatening, liver transplantation may be considered as a definitive treatment option. Liver transplantation offers the best chance of long-term survival and improved quality of life for eligible candidates with end-stage liver disease. Cirrhosis is associated with various complications that can significantly impact health and quality of life, including portal hypertension, ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). Early detection, timely intervention, and ongoing management are essential to prevent or minimize these complications and improve outcomes for patients with cirrhosis.

 

What causes cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis can be caused by chronic liver diseases such as chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and hepatitis C), excessive alcohol consumption, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune liver diseases, genetic disorders, and certain medications and toxins that damage the liver over time.

 

What are the symptoms of cirrhosis?

Symptoms of cirrhosis may include fatigue, weakness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), itching, abdominal swelling (ascites), leg swelling (edema), easy bruising and bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding (from varices), confusion, and coma (hepatic encephalopathy).

 

How is cirrhosis diagnosed?

Diagnosing cirrhosis involves a combination of clinical assessment, blood tests, imaging studies, and sometimes, liver biopsy to evaluate liver function, assess for markers of liver damage, visualize liver structure, and confirm the presence and severity of liver fibrosis.

 

What are the treatment options for cirrhosis?

Treatment for cirrhosis aims to slow disease progression, prevent complications, and improve quality of life. Treatment strategies may include addressing the underlying cause of cirrhosis, managing complications, promoting liver regeneration and function, and considering liver transplantation in advanced cases.