What is cirrhosis of the liver?
Liver cirrhosis is characterized by:
- Liver cell death
- appearance of scars (fibrosis)
- Modification of its structure
It usually appears as a progression of chronic liver disease and leads to the destruction of the liver.
What are the causes of cirrhosis of the liver?
Cirrhosis of the liver is caused by:
- excessive intake of alcoholic beverages
- hepatitis C and/or hepatitis B caused by viruses
- excess fat in the liver, especially when associated with obesity and diabetes
- autoimmune diseases (biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, etc.)
- metabolic diseases (Wilson's disease)
What are the symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver?
Symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver appear as the disease progresses and may include:
- slimming
- tiredness
- yellow eyes (jaundice)
- accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
- vomiting blood (called haematemesis, often caused by the rupture of dilated oesophageal veins, known as oesophageal varices)
- mental disorders (hepatic encephalopathy)
- decreased resistance to bacteria with very serious infections (septicaemia, peritonitis)
The onset of this disease is silent and can develop for many years without the patient having symptoms (compensated liver cirrhosis phase).
In many cases, the doctor suspects the existence of cirrhosis through blood tests or the results of the abdominal ultrasound.
Does cirrhosis of the liver have different phases?
yes. There are two phases:
- compensated – period of the disease without symptoms
- Decompensated – the most severe phase, in which the symptoms and complications mentioned above usually appear
How is cirrhosis of the liver diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made when:
- the patient presents with the signs and symptoms of hepatic decompensation
- diagnostic tests (ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging) show changes in the liver
- There are habits of excessive alcohol intake
- hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C is confirmed by blood tests
- It is confirmed by liver biopsy (collection of a liver fragment through a needle and analysis under a microscope)
Do excessive alcoholic beverages always cause cirrhosis?
No. Only a few people who consume alcoholic beverages in excess develop cirrhosis of the liver (about 10 to 15%), since it depends on several factors:
- Genetic
- amount ingested (the higher the amount, the greater the risk)
- sex (women, for the same amount, have an increased risk)
- be infected with the virus of hepatitis C, hepatitis B or HIV
What are the complications of cirrhosis of the liver?
- increased risk of having liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
- Gastrointestinal bleeding – caused by the rupture of dilated and tortuous veins (varicose veins) of the oesophagus or stomach, secondary to hypertension of the blood vessel that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver (portal vein).
Is it possible to prevent cirrhosis of the liver?
yes. To decrease the likelihood of developing cirrhosis of the liver, you should:
- avoid excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
- get vaccinated against hepatitis B
- Do not share syringes or other material used for drug use
- use of condoms during risky sexual intercourse
What is the treatment for cirrhosis of the liver?
Treatment depends on the cause and stage of the disease:
- In the compensated phase:
- Quitting alcohol consumption
- For hepatitis there are drugs that in many cases can eliminate or control viruses
- In the decompensated phase:
- Treatment is variable, and may include diuretics to eliminate excess fluids, beta blockers to reduce the risk of bleeding from varicose veins, and antibiotics to prevent or treat infections, among others
- endoscopy for the treatment of varicose veins of the esophagus and/or stomach
- Treatments to stop the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma
In some cases, it may be necessary to resort to liver transplantation, whose survival rate is close to 80%.