General Information & Liver Functions
The liver is an important organ in the body. It performs crucial functions that are necessary for human survival. Without a properly functioning liver, human beings and even animals are at risk of dying any time.
Liver cirrhosis is a stage in liver disease. Here, healthy liver tissues are gradually replaced by scar tissues due to chronic hepatitis. Liver cirrhosis is also referred to as hepatic cirrhosis.
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. During this condition of inflammation, the liver tries to repair itself through a process called scarring. The liver becomes unable to function well due to excessive scarring.
Liver Functions
General functions of the liver are;
- Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids
- Bile production and secretion
- Cholesterol and lipid regulation
- Albumin production
- Urea synthesis
- Drug metabolism and clearance
- Red blood cell breakdown (hemolysis)
- Bilirubin conjugation and excretion
- Blood clotting factor production
- Hormone regulation
- Immune system support
- Glucose regulation and storage
- Detoxification and excretion of wastes and toxins
- Blood filtration and clearance
- Storage of vitamins and minerals
Facts
- Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease
- The damage done to the liver cannot be undone
- Liver with cirrhosis cannot function normally
- The onset of cirrhosis is usually over months, years or even decades
- Hippocrates, the father of medicine, was the first to give a known description of the condition. This was done in 5th century, BCE
Epidemiology
In the United States, liver cirrhosis affects almost 0.3% of all adults
Annually, more than 20,000 deaths are due to cirrhosis. More men die of cirrhosis as compared to women
In 2015, the condition affected more than 2 million people and resulted in more than 1 million deaths.
Risk Factors
- Age. Being older than 50 years old.
- Chronic alcohol abuse
- Presence of metabolic syndrome
- Chronic viral hepatitis infection
- Obesity
Causes
Common causes;
- Alcohol-induced hepatitis.
- Chronic hepatitis C infection
- Non-alcohol-Related steatohepatitis
- Chronic hepatitis B infection
Less common causes;
- Auto-immune disorders
- Exposure to specific toxic chemicals
- Some parasitic infections
Inherited diseases;
- High blood galactose levels
- Cystic fibrosis
- Porphyria
- Wilson disease
- Haemachromatosis
- Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Signs & Symptoms
Earliest signs and symptoms of liver cirrhosis are;
- Nausea
- Redness on the palms of the hands
- Fatigue
- Spider angiomas
- Pain in the upper abdomen
Tests and Diagnostic Procedures
- Blood tests. Several liver function tests can be conducted
- Liver biopsy for histopathology
- Imaging tests such as ;
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Computer Tomography scan
- MRI- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Elastography
Upper endoscopy
Treatment
One of the goals of treatment is to reduce the relate of build-up of scar tissue and prevent any further derangement.
Liver transplant
Treat the underlying cause of the condition
Complications
- Imbalance of the hormones
- Ascites
- Malabsorption and malnutrition
- Portal hypertension-hyp
- Toxicity
- Type 2 diabetes- hyp
- Jaundice
- Motor dysfunction
- Cancer of the liver
- Swelling in the legs and abdomen
Prevention
- Early intervention can prevent disease of the liver from progressing to liver cirrhosis.
- Routine health check-ups eg liver function tests should be conducted
- Avoid drinking excessive alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight and normal Body Mass Index range
- Consume a healthy diet and good nutrition