Cirrhosis - Symptoms, Causes, Stages, Diagnosis, Treatment and Home remedies
Last Updated: Jan 17, 2023
What is Cirrhosis?
The advanced liver fibrosis condition known as cirrhosis is brought on by various different liver diseases. As time passes, the scarring in tissue becomes severe and leads to cirrhosis. It is a serious disorder whose damages cannot be undone. It negatively affects the liver's ability to perform normally.
Summary- Cirrhosis is the severe scarring of the tissues of the liver.
What are the stages of Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is distinctly categorized into four stages. They are-
Stage 1
Steatosis- the first stage in which inflammation is observed and the body strives to fight off the disorder.
Stage 2
Scarring or fibrosis- The second stage of the liver's malfunction is scarring or fibrosis.
Stage 3
Cirrhosis- an advanced stage in which the healthy tissues are replaced by scar tissue.
Stage 4
Hepatic failure- a severe variation of the condition that damages the liver.
Summary- These stages are differentiated according to the severity of the disorder.
What are the symptoms of Cirrhosis?
Signs and symptoms of cirrhosis are usually observed when the disorder becomes extensive. These are-
- Fatigue
- Oedema
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Easy bleeding
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
Summary- These are some of the common symptoms often experienced by cirrhosis patients.
What are the causes of Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis comprises a wide range of causative factors, such as-
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic alcohol abuse
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Iron buildup in the body
- Destruction and scarring of bile ducts
Summary- Cirrhosis can be caused by many underlying disorders that a patient may suffer from.
What are the complications of Cirrhosis?
The following are a few of the well-known cirrhosis-related potential side effects:-
- Bleeding
- High blood pressure
- Malnutrition
- Swelling in legs and abdominal area
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Infections.
Summary- Some of the complications of cirrhosis are severe and life-threatening.
When to see a doctor for Cirrhosis?
We must contact an experienced medical when we observe any of these symptoms-
- Pain in the abdominal area
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Unwilling weight loss
- Appetite loss
Summary- We must address these symptoms with a doctor before it starts interfering normal lifestyle of a person.
How to prevent from Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis can be prevented by following some useful tips, such as-
- Eating a healthy diet
- Avoiding alcohol
- Reducing the risk of hepatitis
- Drinking an adequate amount of water
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Summary- Cirrhosis can be prevented if we carefully follow the above-stated simple tips.
How to diagnose Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis can be successfully diagnosed by applying these procedures-
- Lab tests
- Biopsy
- Magnetic resonance elastography
- X-Rays
- MRI
Summary- Doctors carefully apply these diagnostic procedures to rule out the cirrhosis symptoms in the patients.
What are the treatments of Cirrhosis?
After a detailed diagnosis, doctors commence further treatment. The treatment procedures to cure cirrhosis often include-
- Medications
- Treatment for alcohol dependency
- Hepatitis control
- Weight loss
- Surgery
Summary- Several treatment procedures for cirrhosis slowly relieve the symptoms.
Outlook
Cirrhosis refers to extensive scarring of liver tissue. It is considered a serious disorder that must need urgent medical care. It can be tackled only if diagnosed on time. Its treatment must not be delayed at all otherwise, it will create a life-threatening situation for the patient.
Summary- Cirrhosis can be managed by proper treatment and regular medications.
References
- Cirrhosis- Medline Plus, Health Topics, NIH, U.S. National Library of Medicine [Internet]. medlineplus.gov 2019 [Cited 23 July 2019]. Available from:
- Cirrhosis- Medline Plus, Medical Encyclopedia, NIH, U.S. National Library of Medicine [Internet]. medlineplus.gov 2019 [Cited 23 July 2019]. Available from:
- Cirrhosis - discharge- Medline Plus, Medical Encyclopedia, NIH, U.S. National Library of Medicine [Internet]. medlineplus.gov 2019 [Cited 23 July 2019]. Available from:
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