Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a liver disease that includes liver hardening and fibrosis.

Causes

• Excessive alcohol intake
• Hepatitis B, C
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (as seen in obesity).
• Wilson disease
• Hemochromatosis
• Autoimmune hepatitis

Symptoms

Many patients can remain asymptomatic and are diagnosed based on blood tests. Symptoms include:

• Weakness and tiredness
• Vomiting with blood
• Fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
• Feet swelling (pedal edema)
• Black stool
• Altered behavior
• Unconsciousness
• Decreased urine output

Diagnosis

Cirrhosis is confirmed based on these investigations:

• Ultrasonography
• Fibroscan
• LFT
• Liver Biopsy
• CT scan
• MRI

Treatment

• Management of complications
• The nutritional diet rich in protein and calories
• Diuretics and salt restriction to minimize fluid accumulation
• Management of variceal bleeding by beta-blockers, and banding
• Management of hepatic encephalopathy by L-ornithine L-Aspartate and laxatives
• Liver transplant for management of advanced liver disease

Reversal of disease by etiology-oriented therapy

• Stop alcohol consumption
• Antiviral drugs in case of hepatitis B and C
• Autoimmune Hepatitis by steroid therapy
• Copper chelation in case of Wilson disease
• Iron chelation for Hemochromatosis