Cirrhosis of the Liver

Cirrhosis of the liver is one of the most serious hepatic diseases.



The term "hepatic" refers to the liver. For example, it is the hepatic duct that drains bile from the liver. This disorder is characterized by an abnormal structure and function of the liver. The disorder gradually contracts the liver in size and makes it hard and leathery. Cirrhosis of the liver implies to all forms of liver disorder that are due to a significant loss in cells.

The liver is one of the most important glandular organs in the body. It is located high up on the right side of the abdomen just under the diaphragm. It is by function a vast chemical laboratory, which performs many key functions. It produces bile, cholesterol, lecithin, blood albumin that is vital to the removal of tissue wastes, prothrombin which is necessary for the clotting of blood and numerous enzymes.



The liver inactivates hormones no longer needed, synthesizes many amino acids used in building tissues and breaks proteins into sugar and fat when required for energy. The liver also stores vitamins and minerals and destroys harmful substances and detoxifies drugs, poisons, chemicals and toxins from bacterial infections. In order to perform these critical functions, the liver cells must be working normally, and they must have a healthy relationship with the blood since the substances that are added or removed by the liver are transported to and from the liver by the blood.

A liver damage interferes with all of these functions. In cirrhosis of the liver, although regenerative activity continues, the loss of liver cells exceeds cell replacement. In cirrhosis, the healthy relationship between blood and liver cells declines. Though the liver cells that survive or are newly-formed may be able to produce and remove substances from the blood, they do not have the normal, intimate relationship with the blood, and this interferes with the liver cells’ ability to add or remove substances from the blood. This situation could be supplemented by the distortion of the vascular system, which interferes with the portal blood flow through the liver. The progressive degeneration of liver structure and function may ultimately lead to hepatic failure and death.



The most common of several form of cirrhosis is portal cirrhosis, also known as haennoc's cirrhosis.

Symptoms of Cirrhosis of the Liver:

Disorders make their presence felt by giving out sings and signals that indicate that the organs are in distress. Here are a few signs and signals indicating that it could be cirrhosis of the liver:

Early Stages:

1. Frequent attacks of gas

2. Indigestion

3. Occasional nausea and vomiting.

4. Abdominal pain and loss of weight.

Advanced Stage:

1. Low-grade fever.

2. Foul breath, jaundiced skin and swollen veins in the abdomen.

3. Reddish hair like markings, resembling small spiders, may appear on the face, neck, arms and trunk.

4. The abdomen becomes bloated and swollen

5. Bleeding from the stomach.

Other Symptoms:

1. Fatigue

2. Weakness

3.



Loss of appetite

4. Itching

5. Easy bruising from decreased production of blood clotting factors by the diseased liver.

Causes of Cirrhosis of the Liver:

Prevention is indeed better than cure, and it is apt in this case. Most of the causes of the Cirrhosis of the Liver are due to the impact of our own diet and lifestyle. Here is a list of reasons that could trap you in the cirrhosis snare:

1. Excessive use of alcohol over a long period – One of the most potent causes of cirrhosis of the liver. The disease can progress to an advanced stage of hepatic failure, if the person does not abstain from alcohol.

2. Poor nutrition one of the key factors in the development or cirrhosis and a chronic alcoholic usually suffers from a severe malnutrition too, as he seldom eats.

3. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease- also known as (NAFLD), due to accumulation of fat in the liver cells

4. Consumption of highly seasoned food

5. Habitual intake of quinine for a prolonged period in tropical climate

6. Drug treatments for diseases like syphilis, fever or other diseases.

7. Inherited (genetic) disorders result in the accumulation of toxic substances in the liver, which lead to tissue damage and cirrhosis.

8. Anything, which continually over-burdens the liver cells and leads to their final breakdown, can be a contributing cause of cirrhosis.