Severe scarring of the liver (fibrosis) caused by long-term liver damage is referred to as cirrhosis. This is a very serious condition and could be precipitated by a number of liver diseases and conditions like chronic alcoholism or hepatitis.

The liver tries to repair itself every time it is injured, either by infection or too much alcohol intake or other causes, and scar tissue is formed as a consequence. When cirrhosis gets progressively worse, an increasing mass of scar tissue keeps forming, thus impairing liver function. It is sometimes called end-stage liver disease as advance cirrhosis could even be fatal.

What are the known symptoms of cirrhosis?

Very often, symptoms don’t manifest till severe liver damage is already done. Symptoms, when they occur, include:

Chronic fatigue
Frequent bruising and bleeding
Appetite loss
Nausea
Edema in legs, ankles or feet
Loss of weight
Itchy skin
Jaundice or yellow discoloration of skin and eyes
Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
Spiderweb blood vessels on skin
Palms becoming red
Fingernails turning pale
Fingertips becoming rounder than normal and spreading out
Absence or loss of periods in women unrelated to menopause
Lack of sex drive, testicular shrinkage or breast enlargement in men
Confusion, drowsiness or slurred speech

Cirrhosis of the Liver

What are the known risk factors for cirrhosis of liver?

Excessive consumption of alcohol
Being obese
Suffering from viral hepatitis

What can one do to prevent or lower the risk of cirrhosis?

Ditch the bottle: If you have any kind of liver disease, abstain from drinking alcohol. Even if your liver is healthy, stick to acceptable limits of consumption (not more than 14 units a week).
Healthy diet: Stick to a healthy, balanced diet which has an abundance of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of protein like fish, eggs and chicken. You should avoid fried or fatty foods as much as possible.
Watch your weight: If you are obese or overweight, you will need to shed some kilos through a lean diet and a tailored exercise regimen. Excess amounts of body fat can damage the liver and cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Cut your hepatitis risk: Persons sharing needles or toothbrush, or having unprotected sex are at a greater risk of catching hepatitis B and C. You should talk to your doctor about vaccination against hepatitis B and about other ways and means to protect yourself from liver cirrhosis.

No cure for cirrhosis

It must be kept in mind that there is no cure for cirrhosis at this point in time. Nonetheless, symptoms can be managed and progression of the disease can be slowed down. Usually, the trigger is treated, like using anti-viral medication to treat hepatitis C, quitting alcohol or losing weight through a charted programme. If the liver is severely damaged, a transplant could be the only option.

Also Read - Ways to Reduce Cirrhosis Risk

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