Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease with serious and dangerous consequences that can lead to severe liver damage. The liver can be damaged and damaged due to different factors such as alcohol, hepatitis and medications. If these situations recur, differences can be seen in the structure of the liver. Following the deterioration of the functional structure of the liver, a growing tissue can occur in this area over time.
The disease picture can develop after the structure and function of the liver deteriorates. In the future, liver cells may decrease in size and harden while shrinking and hardening may occur. After the problem of hardening of the liver, blood circulation and flow slow down, while new vascular pathways begin to form due to blood that cannot reach the tissues. While the liver is severely adversely affected with the integrity of the event, the picture can also be aggravated. In such cases, while the liver cannot fulfill its functions, liver failure, which is a serious problem, may occur.
What are the Symptoms of Cirrhosis?
The disease is mostly asymptomatic in the early stages. However, as the disease condition and level progresses, there may be an increase in the levels of damage and damage to the liver. As a result of this increase, symptoms appear and the severity of these symptoms may increase. The most common symptoms and signs of cirrhosis are as follows:
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness and fatigue
- Swelling and edema of the legs
- Acid accumulation in the abdomen and stomach swelling
- Muscle weakening
- Anemia (Anemia)
- Jaundice
- Menstrual problems and irregular menstruation
- Bruising of the skin and bleeding
- Nervousness and tension
- Constipation and gas problems
What are the Causes of Cirrhosis?
The most well-known and common cause of the disease is chronic alcohol consumption. In addition to excessive alcohol consumption, one of the most important causes is chronic viral hepatitis such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. In approximately 15 percent of the cases, no cause is found in the examinations performed. In addition to these, there are also different conditions and disorders that cause this disease. The conditions that cause cirrhosis can be listed as follows:
- Fatty liver
- Inflammation and obstruction of the bile ducts
- Certain autoimmune and hepatitis diseases
- Heavy medications that trigger this condition and are used for a long time
- Too much intake of minerals such as iron and copper
- Chronic heart failure
Since it is not a condition that can occur suddenly, there are some factors that can increase the risk of developing and developing this disease, which can occur in long-term damage. Factors that increase the risk of cirrhosis are as follows:
- Obesity
- Consuming too much alcohol
- Cystic fibrosis
- Some genetic digestive problems
- Wilson's disease
- Some antibiotics and painkillers used
How is Cirrhosis Diagnosed?
After the symptoms that occur in the formation of the disease are seen in people and complaints occur, a specialist doctor should be visited immediately. In the stage of diagnosing the disease, the history of the disease should be told to the specialist and the symptoms and complaints should be told.
After a detailed history of the disease and symptoms, the specialist evaluates the condition and performs a physical examination. In these cases, hardening, enlargement and marginalization of the liver, enlargement of the spleen and fluid accumulation in the abdomen can be detected by physical examination.
Jaundice, edema and bruising in different parts of the body are among the diagnostic criteria that draw attention during the examination. In addition to physical examination, some imaging methods, ultrasound, blood tests and biopsy are performed and the diagnosis of cirrhosis is determined depending on the results.
What are Cirrhosis Treatment Methods?
Differentiation is seen depending on the progression of the disease. The disease is divided into 3 levels due to the level of damage. These levels are known as A, B and C. In cases seen at levels A and B, patients can live a comfortable life for many years by minimizing the progression of the disease during regular doctor control and treatment.
The first priority in the treatment methods applied by specialist doctors in the field is to prevent hardening of the liver and to prevent complications caused by this condition. Avoiding foods and foods that can damage the structure of the liver, the use of non-essential medications and alcohol consumption constitute the most important treatment process of this disease.
When it is seen to be caused by autoimmune diseases, the use of drugs that suppress the immune system is recommended. When a disease caused by viral hepatitis is observed, treatment with antiviral drugs is applied. In cases of advanced liver damage and C-level cases, liver transplantation may be required with a doctor's recommendation.
People with this disease can prevent the progression of the disease and improve their quality of life by having regular medical check-ups and applying the treatment methods recommended by the doctor.