Many people believe that the main cause of a liver disease known as cirrhosis is alcohol abuse. Show
However, Dr. Catherine Frenette, medical director of liver transplantation at Scripps Clinics in San Diego, said while over-consumption of alcohol may be the most publicized cause, it’s hardly the most common. Rather, she said, that distinction goes to hepatitis C, a virus that causes inflammation of the liver that’s spread when blood from an infected person enters the body of someone who’s not infected – often by sharing IV drug needles. And, prior to 1992 when blood supply screening began in the U.S., hepatitis C was often spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. The sobering news is that just 50 percent of those with hepatitis C have been diagnosed and symptoms of cirrhosis can take decades to makes itself known – and that typically happens when the disease has advanced. The good news, however, is that the disease if often treatable without a liver transplant, Frenette said. “Most people with cirrhosis don’t need a transplant,” she said. “And cirrhosis is not a death sentence.” Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, a physician affiliated with Tri-City Medical Center, said cirrhosis is a result of repeated liver damage. The body’s mechanism to repair the damage leads to fibrosis and nodules, or scarring, which results in improper function of the liver. The liver maintains the body’s glucose level, helps in food digestion and removes toxins from the body, so proper liver function is important to overall health. In addition to alcoholism and hepatitis C, Sharma said, other causes include obesity, hepatitis B, toxins and medications, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases with some causes being idiopathic, or still unknown. When it comes to treating cirrhosis, Frenette said, health care providers must treat the underlying cause of the disease. Therefore, in many patients, treating cirrhosis means treating hepatitis C, eliminating consumption of alcohol, treating obesity, preventing hepatitis B, removing exposure to toxins or treating metabolic or autoimmune diseases. “Medications and surgery are helpful in improving liver blood flow,” Sharma said. “Stopping the damage may allow the liver to repair, regenerate and heal.” However, because it’s a “forgiving organ” Frenette said, the liver can withstand a lot of damage before symptoms of cirrhosis begin to appear. She said its function could be at 30 percent before symptoms begin to show. Sharma said symptoms start with decreased appetite, weight loss, nose bleeds/bruising and weakness and progress to mental confusion, abdominal swelling and jaundice - and cirrhosis, which can ultimately lead to death. Cirrhosis is thought to be the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., and it’s more common in men than in women, with an approximate ratio of 2-to-1. Today, a liver transplant is the only available treatment for end-stage liver disease. While a transplant rids the body of cirrhosis and comes with an 85 percent survival rate after five years, the demand for livers is higher than the supply of available organs. Sharma said about 17,000 people are awaiting liver transplants, compared to 6,000 liver transplants done annually in the U.S. As a result, Frenette said, 20 to 30 percent of those waiting for a liver transplant die while being on the wait list. “If we had more (organ) donors, we would be able to save more lives,” she said However, she said, like most diseases, early detection and treatment of cirrhosis is essential. Frenette said that patients should make sure their doctor checks their liver via a routine blood test during annual physicals. She said a lifestyle that includes eating well and exercise will also help ensure the health of the liver. “You have to take care of yourself, and that’s going to take care of your liver,” she said. Cirrhosis isn't curable, but it’s treatable. Doctors have two main goals in treating this disease: Stop the damage to your liver, and prevent complications. Alcohol abuse, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease are some of the main causes. Your doctor will personalize your treatment based on what caused your cirrhosis, and the
amount of liver damage you have. Your liver breaks down and removes toxins from your body.
Alcohol is a toxin. When you drink too much, your liver has to work extra hard to process it. To protect your liver, you must stop drinking. That can be hard to do, especially if you've become dependent on alcohol. Ask your doctor about things you can try that may help you stop drinking, such as: Get more information on treatments for alcohol use disorder. NASH is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis which is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It can cause liver scarring and lead to cirrhosis. While there is no medication to reverse the fatty buildup, controlling the conditions that may contribute to it can help stop the liver damage. In some cases, the liver damage has been known to reverse itself You doctor may suggest vitamin E or
pioglitazone to help. Vitamin E alone is often perscribed for people who have NASH and don't have diabetes or cirrhosis. Hepatitis B and C viruses cause liver damage that can lead to
cirrhosis. Treatments for these diseases can help prevent liver damage. For hepatitis C, there are now antiviral treatments that lead to a cure in the vast majority of people. Options include: Learn more about the different treatment options for hepatitis C. This is a buildup of fat that damages the liver. You can get it if
you're overweight or obese. The way to combat this cause of liver damage is to lose weight with diet and exercise. With any liver disease, it is important to not drink
alcohol and, in some cases, avoid taking vitamin E. Find out how you can reverse or control non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In both of these diseases, your body’s natural defense system
(immune system) attacks and damages your liver. Primary biliary cirrhosis destroys the bile duct -- the tube that carries the digestive fluid (bile) from the liver to the gallbladder and intestine. Doctors treat autoimmune hepatitis with
steroid drugs and other medicines that stop the immune system from attacking the liver. Side effects may include weight gain, diabetes, weak bones, and
high blood pressure. The main treatment for primary biliary cirrhosis is to slow liver damage with the drug ursodiol (Actigall, Urso). Ursodiol can cause side effects like diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, and back pain. Know more about the treatment options for primary biliary cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis damage can prevent your liver from doing important jobs like removing toxins from your body and helping you digest foods. It can lead to problems like these: Cirrhosis can damage your liver to the point where it no longer works. This is called liver failure. A transplant means your damaged liver is replaced with a healthy one from a donor. You can wait on an organ
transplant list for a deceased donor, or get part of a liver from a living friend or family member. It can help you live longer, but it's major surgery that comes with risks like bleeding and infection. After surgery, you'll need to take medicines to prevent your body from rejecting the new organ. Because these drugs suppress your immune system, they can
increase your risk for infection. Get more information on what you should know about liver transplantation. How to Stay Healthy with CirrhosisTo keep your liver as healthy as possible, make a few changes to your lifestyle:
Can you have liver cirrhosis without ascites?Patients with hepatic hydrothorax usually have ascites, but a few cases without ascites have been reported.
Does everyone with cirrhosis get ascites?Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis. About half of people with decompensated cirrhosis will develop ascites. Cirrhosis accounts for about 80% of the cases of ascites.
What is the best treatment for cirrhosis of the liver?The main treatments are cutting out salt from your diet and taking a type of medicine called a diuretic, such as spironolactone or furosemide. If the fluid in your tummy becomes infected, you may need antibiotics. In severe cases, you may need to have the fluid drained from your tummy area with a tube.
What stage of cirrhosis does ascites occur?At end-stage cirrhosis, ascites causes symptoms including abdominal distention, nausea and vomiting, early satiety, dyspnea, lower-extremity edema, and reduced mobility.
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Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver without ascites treatment
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