लीवर सिरोसिस की परिभाषा
सिरोसिस जिगर के निशान या फाइब्रोसिस का एक उन्नत चरण है और आमतौर पर तब होता है जब यकृत पहले से ही हेपेटाइटिस या शराब जैसी मौजूदा स्थिति के कारण क्षतिग्रस्त हो जाता है।
सिरोसिस से लीवर को होने वाली क्षति बहुत व्यापक और अपरिवर्तनीय है। हालांकि, सही उपचार और दवा से हम और अधिक नुकसान को रोक सकते हैं।
लीवर सिरोसिस के लक्षण
सिरोसिस के लक्षण अक्सर प्रमुख नहीं होते हैं और यह बहुत हद तक इस बात पर निर्भर करता है कि लीवर किस हद तक क्षतिग्रस्त हुआ है। हालांकि, सबसे अधिक ध्यान देने योग्य लक्षणों में निम्नलिखित शामिल हैं:
- त्वचा में खुजली
- आसानी से खरोंच और रक्तस्राव के लिए अतिसंवेदनशील
- थकान
- पीला मलिनकिरण या पीलिया
- पेट में द्रव जमा होना
- वजन घटना
- सूजे हुए पैर
- भूख में कमी
- त्वचा पर मकड़ी जैसी रक्त वाहिकाएं
- मतली
Liver Cirrhosis Risk Factors
There are a number of factors that may cause cirrhosis of the liver. These may include:
- Cystic fibrosis
- Iron build-up in the body
- Wilson’s disease
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Genetic digestive disorder
- Galactosemia
- Poorly formed bile ducts
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Hepatitis B and C
- Fat accumulating in the liver
Liver Cirrhosis Diagnosis
The first stage of cirrhosis is usually detected by simple blood tests. If the doctor suspects that you in fact have cirrhosis, he may recommend tests for liver functioning, kidney functioning, hepatitis B and hepatitis C and clotting.
Other tests that may be advised are:
- CT scan
- Ultrasound
- Radioisotope liver/spleen scan
- Biopsy
Liver Cirrhosis Complications
- Variceal bleeding. This happens due to portal hypertension, where there is increased pressure within the portal vein (the blood vessel connecting digestive organs to the liver). These varices bleed easily, causing severe bleeding and fluid in the abdomen called ascites.
- Confused thinking and other mental changes (hepatic encephalopathy). Toxins usually get detoxified by the liver, but once cirrhosis occurs, the liver cannot detoxify as well. So they get into the bloodstream and can cause confusion, changes in behavior, and even coma.
Liver Cirrhosis Treatment
Depending on the extent of damage caused by cirrhosis, you can either get better by merely making a few lifestyle adjustments or through medication or both.
Treatment through lifestyle adjustments
People who have previously abused alcohol excessively are very likely to have a serious case of cirrhosis. In this case, one should abstain for alcohol completely. One can also seek medical advice on how to rehabilitate from such an addiction.
People who suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, can improve if they lose weight and control their blood sugar levels. If a person has hepatitis, steroids or antiviral drugs are given to reduce liver cell injury.
Liver Cirrhosis Treatment
Medications may be given to control the symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis. Diuretics are used to remove excess fluid and to prevent edema from recurring. Altered mental function is treated by diet and medicines. Laxatives such as lactulose help absorb toxins and hasten elimination from the intestines.
Liver transplantation may be needed in some cases.
Read more about treatment for liver diseases at Apollo Hospitals Click here
