The liver is in the upper right part of the tummy(abdomen). It has many functions which include:
1.Storing fuel for the body (glycogen) which is made from sugars. When required, glycogen is broken down into glucose which is released into the bloodstream.
2.Helping to process fats and proteins from digested food.
3. Helping to remove or process alcohol, poisons and toxins from the body.
4.Making bile which passes from the liver to the gut and helps to digest fats.
5.Making proteins that are essential for blood to clot (clotting factors).
6.Processing many medicines that one may take.
Understanding cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a condition where normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis). Though the ‘scarring’ tends to be a gradual process. the scar tissue affects the normal structure and re-growth of liver cells. With the gradual development of the scar tissue, liver cells become damaged and die, making the liver more and more malfunctional. The scar tissue can also affect the blood flow through the liver which can cause back pressure in the blood vessels which bring blood to the liver. This back pressure is called portal hypertension.
Antecedents of cirrhosis
There are many causes of ‘scarring’ of the liver cirrhosis, the most common causes being heavy alcohol drinking and infection with the hepatitis B & Hepatitis C viruses.
Alcoholic cirrhosis
One’s liver cells break down alcohol but too much alcohol can damage the liver cells. As a rule, the heavier one’s drinking, the more one’s risk of developing cirrhosis. However, alcoholic cirrhosis is not just a condition of alcoholics. People who are social heavy drinkers can also develop cirrhosis.
About 1 in 10 heavy drinkers will eventually develop cirrhosis. It tends to occur after 10 or more years of heavy drinking. The reason why some people are more prone to their liver cells becoming damaged by alcohol and to developing cirrhosis is unknown. There may be an inherited (genetic) tendency. Women who are heavy drinkers seem to be more prone than men to cirrhosis.
Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C and cirrhosis
Chronic infection with Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C Virus causes long-term inflammation in the liver. This can eventually lead to liver ‘scarring’ and cirrhosis. Up to 1 in 5 people with chronic hepatitis B & Hepatitis C develop cirrhosis but this usually takes about 20 years or even longer from the initial infection.
More Reasons of cirrhosis
Less common causes include:
1.Diseases that cause blockage of the bile ducts can cause back pressure and damage to the liver cells. For example, primary biliary cirrhosis, sclerosing cholangitis, and congenital problems of the bile ducts.
2.Autoimmune Hepatitis: The immune system normally makes antibodies to attack bacteria, viruses and other germs. In people with autoimmune diseases, the immune system makes antibodies against part(s) of the body. Something triggers the immune system to make these autoantibodies but the trigger is not known. In autoimmune hepatitis, the immune system makes antibodies against liver cells, which can lead to damage and cirrhosis
3. Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): This is a condition which causes fat to build up in the liver. This can lead to scarring and cirrhosis. Being overweight/obese increases your risk of developing NASH.
4.Severe reactions to certain medicines
5.Certain infections caused by bacteria and parasites which are usually found only in tropical countries. Parasites are living things (organisms) that live within, or on, another organism.
6.Some rare inherited diseases which can cause damage to liver cells. For example:
Haemochromatosis:This is a condition which causes an abnormal build-up of iron in theliver and other parts of the body.
Wilson’s disease:This is a condition which causes an abnormal build-up of copper in the liver and other parts of the body.
7.Severe heart failure which can cause back pressure of blood and congestion in the liver.
8. Certain poisons and environmental toxins.
Early indications of Cirrhosis:
In the early stages of the condition, often there are no symptoms. One can get by with a reduced number of working liver cells. However, as more and more liver cells die and more and more scar tissue (fibrosis) builds up, the liver:
1.Fails to make enough chemicals needed for blood clotting.
2.Is less able to process medicines, toxins and other chemicals which may then build up in the body.
3. Fails to make enough proteins such as albumin that help to regulate the fluid composition in the bloodstream and body.
4.Is less able to process waste chemicals in the body such as bilirubin. So, these may build up in the body.
Therefore, the symptoms that may develop include:
·Tiredness and weakness
·leaking of fluid from the bloodstream and its building up in the legs (oedema) and tummy (abdomen) – called ascites.
·Loss of appetite, feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting).
·Weight loss (although you may put on weight if you retain a lot of fluid). A tendency to bleed and bruise more easily.
·Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice) due to a build-up of bilirubin. Itch due to a build-up of toxins.
·Mental health changes which can develop in severe cases as toxins build up in the bloodstream and affect the brain. This can cause changes to your personality and behaviour, confusion,forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating. Eventually it can lead to loss of consciousness and hepatic coma. These changes are known as hepatic encephalopathy.
Also, the scar tissue restricts the flow of blood through the liver. As the cirrhosis becomes worse, this causes back pressure in the portal vein (known as portal hypertension). The portal vein is the vein that takes blood from the gut to the liver – it contains digested foods. Increased pressure in this vein can cause swellings (varices) to develop in the branches of the vein in the lining of the gullet (oesophagus) and stomach. These varices have a tendency to bleed easily into the gut. If a bleed occurs, one may vomit blood or pass blood with one’s stools (faeces).
Diagnosis of cirrhosis
A doctor may suspect, from one’s symptoms and a physical examination, that one has ‘scarring’ of the liver (cirrhosis). (For example, a doctor may detect that one’s liver is enlarged or that one is retaining fluid.) A doctor may especially think of cirrhosis as a cause of your symptoms if one has a history of heavy alcohol drinking or have had a previous episode of hepatitis.
Blood tests may show abnormal liver function. Scan of abdomen (Ultrasound/CT/MRI) may show that one has a damaged liver. To confirm the diagnosis, a small sample ( biopsy) of the liver may be taken to be looked at under the microscope. The scarring of the liver and damage to liver cells can be seen on a biopsy.
If the underlying cause of the cirrhosis is not clear, further tests may be done to clarify the cause. For example, to check for antibodies to hepatitis viruses, to check for autoantibodies that one has aattacked the liver cells, to look in a blood sample for excess iron or copper, etc.
Therapeutic handling of cirrhosis (Treatment)
Cirrhosis or ‘Scarring’ of the liver tends to get progressively worse if the underlying cause persists and is not treated. In general, once the damage is done the scarring is not able to reverse. Therefore, the aim of treatment is, if possible, to prevent further liver scarring or to slow the progression of the scarring process. Treatments that may be advised include the following.
Say a complete No to alcohol
Whatever the cause of cirrhosis complete abstinence from alcohol is required. Drinking alcohol will increase the rate of progression of cirrhosis from whatever cause.
Cautious medication
Some medicines that are processed in the liver may need their dose adjusted if one has liver problems, or even should not be used at all.
Treating fundamental causes
Some of the underlying causes of cirrhosis can be treated. This may slow down, or halt, the progression of cirrhosis. For example:
1.Interferon and other medication may be used to treat viral hepatitis.
2.Regular removal of a pint or so of blood can remove excess iron which occurs in haemochromatosis.
3.Stopping consumption of alcohol altogether.
4.Steroid medicines or other immunosuppressant medicines may be used to treat autoimmune diseases causing liver damage.
Treatment Options and prevention of complications
Various treatments may be advised, depending on the severity of the cirrhosis and the symptoms that develop. For example:
1.A low-sodium diet or ‘water’ tablets (diuretics) to reduce fluid accumulating in the body.
2.Medicines to reduce itch.
3. Zinc deficiency is common in cirrhosis and zinc supplements may be used.
4. Adequate food intake (including calories and protein) and regular exercise are important to prevent excessive weight loss and muscle wasting.
5.Vacination for Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B, influenza and pneumococcal infections.
6.Drainage of fluid that builds up in the tummy (abdomen) – called ascites.
7. Thinning of bones (Osteoporosis) and so prevention and treatment of osteoporosis are important.
8.Medicines that may help to reduce portal hypertension.
Handling of bleeding varices
A bleed from swellings (varices) – described above – is a medical emergency. Immediate medical help need to be sought if one has cirrhosis and:
1.One brings up (vomit) blood; or
2.Onepasses blood in one’s stools (faeces); or
3.One’s faeces becomes black.
Various surgical techniques can be used to stop the bleeding and to help reduce the risk of further bleeds.
Transplantation of Liver
In severe cases, where the scarring is extensive and the liver can barely function, then a liver transplant may be the only option.
Looking Ahead
Up until recently the scarring process of cirrhosis was thought to be irreversible. However, recent research has led to a greater understanding of the scarring process. Some research suggests that medicines may be able to be developed that can reverse the scarring process. Stem cell or liver cell transplantation aimed at restoring liver function is also being investigated. This research continues.
Is cirrhosis preventable?
Alcohol
The most common cause of ‘scarring’ of the liver (cirrhosis) is heavy alcohol drinking. The most important way to prevent cirrhosis from developing is to drink within the recommended safe limits. That is:
Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, no more than four units in any one day and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.
Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.
Pregnant women. Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should not drink alcohol at all. If they do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby, they should not drink more than 1-2 units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk.
A unit of alcohol is about equal to:
·A half-pint of normal-strength beer, cider or lager.
·A pub measure of spirits (25 ml) or of fortified wine such as sherry (50 ml).
·A small glass (125 ml) of wine containing 8% alcohol by volume.
Using the above guide, one can easily underestimate how much alcohol is in a drink. This is because many beers are now strong and wines are often served in 175 ml glasses. Many wines are also stronger than standard (some contain 12-14% alcohol by volume).
However, one should not drink alcohol at all if one has already developed early cirrhosis or you have chronic hepatitis or certain other liver problems.
Contagious diseases
Some causes of cirrhosis are due to infectious diseases which can often be prevented. For example, people who inject street drugs are at risk of hepatitis B and C if they use unclean needles or other injection equipment. These infections may also be passed on through unprotected sex. Hepatitis B can be prevented by immunisation which is offered to those at risk such as healthcare workers, drug users and people with multiple sexual partners.
prognosis
The outlook depends on factors such as the underlying cause, how early the condition is diagnosed, and how early treatment is given. Many people who have ‘scarring’ of the liver (cirrhosis) which is not too extensive live a normal life for a number of years. In some cases, the progression of the cirrhosis can be halted or slowed by treatment. The outlook is not so good if there is a lot of liver damage, especially if you have alcoholic cirrhosis and do not stop drinking.
Cirrhosis can cause death due to bleeding from swellings (varices) or by going into a coma from liver failure. People with cirrhosis are also at increased risk of developing serious infections.
If one has cirrhosis, one has an increased risk of developing cancer of the liver (hepatocellular carcinoma). The risk varies according to the cause of cirrhosis. The greatest risk is with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C infection, followed by cirrhosis caused by hereditary haemochromatosis. The risk of developing liver cancer is lower in those with alcoholic cirrhosis. If one has cirrhosis, one should have regular checks to make sure that there are no signs of liver cancer developing.
CONCLUSION:
Liver Cirrhosis is grave condition where normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis) is termed as Cirrhosis. Its progression is slow and often does not cause symptoms in its early stages. However, liver gradually becomes more and more malfuncyional and serious problems can develop. Two most common causes of cirrhosis are heavy alcohol drinking and hepatitis C infection. Treatments may vary, depending on the cause. A liver transplant may be the only option in a severe condition.