As a result of long-term damage to the liver, its tissue changes with fibrosis and its functions deteriorate in this process. cirrhosis diseaseIt causes the liver to harden over time and deteriorate its structure. Therefore, the liver's ability to perform its vital functions decreases.
Symptoms of Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a disease that causes progressive loss of function of the liver. It may cause symptoms in the initial stages. However, as it progresses, it manifests itself with various symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment slows the progression of the disease and improves quality of life.
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Patients often experience a constant feeling of fatigue and general malaise. This is caused by the liver's inability to clear toxins effectively.
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Loss of appetite may occur due to progressive liver disease. When this condition continues for a long time, it leads to weight loss.
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As a result of the liver not working properly, fluid accumulation occurs in the abdominal area. This condition is called ascites and causes swelling in the abdominal area.
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Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes occurs as a result of the liver's inability to process bilirubin.
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Toxins accumulated in the body cause itching on the skin.
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The liver produces factors that enable blood clotting. Decrease in these factors in patients with cirrhosis may lead to easy bruising and bleeding.
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Small, spider-web-shaped veins may be visible on the skin.
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Fluid accumulation in the body can cause swelling in the legs.
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The liver cleans the blood and prevents toxins that can harm the brain from reaching the brain. As cirrhosis progresses, these toxins can reach the brain. This may lead to impairments in mental functions.
Symptoms of cirrhosis vary depending on the degree of progression of the disease and the damaged areas of the liver.
What Causes Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is a serious health condition that occurs as a result of progressive damage to the liver. This condition is characterized by the replacement of liver tissue with the tissue of fibrosis. Factors that cause cirrhosis are diverse and may arise from more than one source.
Long-term and excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most common factors that cause liver damage. Alcohol causes inflammation in liver cells and fibrosis of liver tissue.
Hepatitis B and C infections are important factors causing cirrhosis worldwide. Chronic infections create inflammation and damage to the livers. This turns into cirrhosis over time.
Conditions that occur as part of metabolic syndrome cause fat to accumulate in the liver. Over time, this can lead to inflammation and fibrosis.
Autoimmune hepatitis is a condition in which the liver is mistakenly attacked by the body's immune system and becomes inflamed. Conditions such as Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis also lead to liver damage.
Is There a Treatment for Cirrhosis?
cirrhosis diseaseIt occurs as a result of long-term damage to the liver and unfortunately cannot be completely healed. However, the progression of the disease can be slowed with appropriate treatment and management strategies. The aim of cirrhosis treatment is to treat the cause of the disease and prevent the progression of damage.
Stopping alcohol consumption helps prevent further damage to the liver. Antiviral medications for hepatitis B or C reduce the damage the virus causes to the liver. Weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise play a role in managing NAFLD or NASH.
Medications such as beta blockers help manage this condition by lowering blood pressure. Diuretics and a low-salt diet reduce fluid accumulation in the abdominal area. Medications such as lactulose and rifaximin help reduce toxins. Endoscopy may be used to treat varicose veins or prevent bleeding.
In advanced cases of cirrhosis, the damaged liver needs to be replaced with a healthy donor liver. Liver transplantation is performed for patients with life-threatening complications due to cirrhosis.
cirrhosis disease Treatment should be customized to individual needs. Therefore, regular medical follow-up and strict adherence to doctor's recommendations are an important part of the treatment process. Early diagnosis and proactive treatment are critical in managing the effects of cirrhosis.
