Cirrhosis

Alcoholism is a rising problem, especially among the youngsters. This life-threatening substance, which is often considered cool, causes many extreme problems. It gives rise to diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, cirrhosis, and more.

Today in this blog you will gain a great understanding about one of the alcoholism diseases known as cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is a chronic condition that creates problems in the liver through which its functioning gets affected. In this condition, healthy liver tissues get replaced by scar tissues. It has a likelihood of damaging the liver permanently. 

Do you know 

According to epidemiology findings, alcohol-related diseases are on the rise among people who are under 40, specifically women. 

Cirrhosis is typically divided into five stages:

Stage 1—Inflammation

Stage 2—Scarring

Stage 3—Cirrhosis

Stage 4—Liver Failure

Stage 5—Liver Cancer

Why does it happen?

Alcohol abuse 

Excessive use of alcohol can yield liver problems over time. It leads to alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase, these are enzymes involved in liver collapse. Additionally, it also results in liver fatiness, which can even cause liver malfunction or cancer.

Hepatitis

Viral liver infections like hepatitis B or C lead to inflammation; therefore, they can potentially give rise to cirrhosis. This kind of hepatitis can fabricate symptoms like fatigue, appetite loss, jaundice, or abnormal swelling. 

Metabolic Dysfunction

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, otherwise called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. In this situation, the fat piles up within the liver, which spawns inflammation and liver damage. Many people have noticed the appearance of spider-like blood vessels on the skin.

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is when mucus obstructs the bile ducts available in the liver. The inflammation in the bile duct is from steatosis that even scars the liver. Scarring in the liver is a deadly condition; therefore, it is called the last stage of liver damage.

Genetic conditions

Cirrhosis cannot be directly passed on through genetics. However, genetic liver conditions like hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can convert into cirrhosis ultimately.

The methods to identify: Diagnosis & Health check-up

Laboratory Test 

Laboratory tests are supposed to inspect the efficiency of the liver. These tests can be alanine aminotransferase, liver function test, complete blood count and albumin.

Liver Biopsy and Elastography

In the liver biopsy, tissue from the liver is taken to discover whether the patient is cirrhotic or not. On the other hand, elastography is for measuring the stiffness of organs using sound waves. 

Imaging Studies

Ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI are some of the imaging studies to check out the severity, complexity, and progression of cirrhosis.

Signs & Symptoms of Cirrhosis

Early symptoms: Appetite loss, weight loss, spider veins, bruising, fatigue, swelling, and nausea.

Late symptoms: Jaundice, oedema, itching, ascites, hand flapping, and hepatic encephalopathy.

Treatment Management

• Alcohol Abstinence- In case you are suffering from cirrhosis because of alcohol, there is an essential need to leave alcohol completely. Consequently making the liver damage even worse. 
• Lifestyle Changes—Just like any other condition, lifestyle changes are crucial for the cure of cirrhosis. Following a healthy lifestyle for example healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a balanced weight are some of them.
• Medication- Medicines having antivirals, beta blockers, diuretics, and lactulose are best suited for cirrhosis. It slows down the progression of liver damage and prevents any further complications. 
• Liver Implant—The implant of the liver happens in a very serious case only where 80-90% of the liver is damaged. With this much damage in the liver, the chances of recovery become nearly impossible.

Living with cirrhosis

Life with cirrhosis is a difficult and multifaceted approach. It is discomforting and troublesome.

• Tiredness—Patients with cirrhosis face extreme fatigue without even doing anything. The exhaustion stays 24/7 and wouldn’t fade out no matter what. Staying active and keeping up with daily tasks becomes tough. They feel sleepy throughout the day. 
• Life expectancy—Cirrhosis affects the overall lifespan of a person. The decrease in life expectancy completely depends upon the stage of cirrhosis. It can vary from two to twelve years.
• Anxiety—Cirrhosis is a chronic condition; thus, it has a high probability of causing stress and anxiety. The uncertain and exhausting behaviour of this condition affects the mental state of a patient. To manage the stressful state of mind, you can resort to medicines like Ativan and Xanax.

After care of cirrhosis

• Low sodium diet
• Alcohol avoidance
• Weight management
• Healthy diet
• Regular exercise

In conclusion, cirrhosis is a significant liver disease that impacts the quality of life. It is a controllable disease if diagnosed at an early stage. Although you are late and the condition gets out of hand, it can turn life-threatening. Necessary changes in the way of life and monitoring are the way to go.