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Chronic Liver Disease & Cirrhosis
Chronic Liver Disease & Cirrhosis
by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023
Additional names
This group contains additional names: - End Stage Liver Failure - Alcoholic Hepatitis - Alcoholic liver disease - Alcoholic Cirrhosis of Liver - Biliary Cirrhosis
General
Cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver disease, when scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. As cirrhosis progresses, more of the healthy liver tissue is damaged and scar tissue forms. A decompensated cirrhosis occurs when the liver cannot function properly anymore. If cirrhosis is diagnosed early enough, further damage can be limited by treatment. There can be many causes for cirrhosis such as chronic alcohol consumption, chronic infection by hepatitis B, C or D, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis, Wilson’s disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, biliary atresia, galactosemia, glycogen storage disease, Alagille syndrome, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, syphilis, brucellosis and medications such as methotrexate or isoniazid. Cirrhosis may have many complications such as portal hypertension, leg edema, ascites (fluid in the abdomen), enlargement of the spleen, bleeding from esophageal or gastric varices. Also, as one of the liver functions is blood clotting- the bleeding can be life threatening. Infections, hepatic encephalopathy, malnutrition, jaundice, bone disease, liver cancer and acute-on-chronic cirrhosis are more complications seen in patients with chronic liver failure.
270 people with Chronic Liver Disease & Cirrhosis
Learn from others who are experiencing Chronic Liver Disease & Cirrhosis.
Signs & symptoms
Chronic liver disease symptoms include fatigue, easy bruising and bleeding, loss of appetite, leg edema, weight loss, itchy skin, jaundice, ascites, spiderlike blood vessels on the skin, redness in the palm of the hands, absent or loss of mentrual period in women, loss of sex drive, gynecomastia or testicular atrophy for men, and hepatic encephalopathy with present with confusion and drowsiness.
Diagnosis
Cirrhosis diagnosis is based upon findings in medical history, physical examination and further tests. On blood tests, there will be evidence for liver malfunction.Hepatitis serology may be taken as well. MRE is a noninvasive advanced imaging detecting hardening or stiffening of the liver. A biopsy is usually not needed.
Treatment
Treatment for cirrhosis depends on the cause and extent of the liver damage. Some of the treatment strategies may include weight loss, medication to control hepatitis, treatment program to treat alcohol addiction and treatment that deals with complications.
Note
☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike
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