What is Liver Cirrhosis?

Liver Cirrhosis is a late stage of liver disease and its complicated. It is a condition of scarring of liver(when healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue). Inflammation causes injury to the liver leading to scarring. This scarring process can progress over time through different stages of fibrosis. Advanced stages of fibrosis are known as cirrhosis. cirrhosis indicates that 50%of the liver has scared.

Causes of Liver Cirrhosis :

Common Causes

Viral Hepatitis (B & C) : Chronic infections due to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus lead to liver damage and scarring.
Alcohol : Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption remains one of the most common causes.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) : This condition occur due to storage of excess fat in liver. It is caused by the condition like obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, High blood pressure, High cholesterol and then progress to cirrhosis.

Less Common Causes

Autoimmune Hepatitis : In Autoimmune hepatitis, immune system of own body attacks on liver cells and leads to inflammation and scarring.
Biliary Disease: Chronic disease of bile dust, such as primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis can cause bile to back up to liver and damage the liver.
Genetic Disorders : Certain inherited condition can cause toxic substance build up in liver and damage it. These includes wilson disease , hemochromatosis, glycogen storage disease, porphyria , alpha1 antitrypsin disease.
Medications & Chemicals : Use of certain medicine like painkiller,long term exposure to toxic chemicals can cause liver damage.
Cardiovascular Disease: Hepatic congestion, where right sided heart failure increases blood pressure and causes blood to build up in the liver can damage it.

According to Padma Shri awardee Dr. A. S. Soin , who performed India’s first liver transplant, liver cirrhosis has three stages A, B and C i. e early, intermediate and late stage.

Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis :

Early and Intermediate Stages

Poor appetite, weakness, and fatigue
Persistent itching
Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
Weight loss and muscle cramps
Spider-like blood vessels on the skin
Anemia and sexual problems

Late Stage Symptoms

Easy bruising and bleeding
Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes
Internal bleeding from enlarged veins
Confusion, memory loss, and sleep disturbances
Swelling in the legs and abdomen (edema, ascites)
Dark urine
Higher risk of liver cancer

Diagnosis and Tests :

Physical Examination : A doctor’s diagnosis will begin with physical examination like signs and symptoms in patient. Asking some question about medical history, medication, life style and eating pattern.
Then they will follow up some medical tests for evidence.
Blood Tests : Tests like Liver Function Test , Complete Blood Count (CBC) test ,Clotting Test, Hepatitis Screening Test checks the signs of Liver diseases and Liver damage.
Imaging: Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and Elastography to assess Size, Texture, and Stiffness of the Liver.
Liver Biopsy: A small tissue sample confirms cirrhosis, its severity, and possible causes.

Treatment and Management :

Cirrhosis is Permanant Liver scarring which can’t be reversed. As liver has strong healing ability ,treatment and management may help to slow and stop further damage.

Treatment of Causes

Medication: Antiviral for Hepatitis B and C, drugs for autoimmune and to remove excess iron and copper may be prescribed.
Autoimmune Treatment: Immunosuppressants to reduce inflammation.
Alcoholic Cirrhosis: Complete quit of alcohol is necessary if it is alcoholic liver disease.
NAFLD: Managing diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension; sometimes medications are prescribed.

Management of Symptoms

Vaccination for influenza, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B etc are important for infection.
Managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol by losing weight, doing exercises and adopting healthy life style.
A balanced diet with low fat and low salt to reduce liver strain.

Liver Transplant

When more than 75% of the liver is damaged and function is severely impaired, a liver transplant may become the only option.

Conclusion :

According to Dr. A. S. Soin , Chairman of the Institute of Liver Transplantation, Medanta, nearly 80% of liver cirrhosis patients can be managed without transplant. Early and intermediate stages often respond to medicines, lifestyle changes, and proper disease management. However, late-stage cirrhosis usually requires a transplant to save the patient’s life.

Cirrhosis is preventable if risk factors like alcohol, hepatitis, and obesity are managed early. Timely diagnosis, lifestyle corrections, and medical treatment play a crucial role in preserving liver function and ensuring quality of life.

Also Read : Type 2 Diabetes: The Silent Epidemic Changing Lives : Study