Cirrhosis

Definition Is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue (parenchyma) by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative
nodules leading to loss of liver function.
Etiology& Alcohol abuse Fatty liver disease
pathogenesis Hepatitis B and C Wilson disease
Biliary diseases Cryptogenic cirrhosis
Primary hemochromatosis

The central pathogenetic processes in cirrhosis are progressive fibrosis and reorganization of the vascular microarchitecture of the liver. In
cirrhosis, scar tissue is deposited in the lobules, creating delicate or broad septal tracts which prevent blood from flowing through the liver as a
result the functioning of it is impaired.
Methods of Taking anamnesis Liver biopsy
diagnostics Physical examination Ultrasound
Blood test CT (computer tomography)
Clinical Symptoms of early cirrhosis include loss of appetite, weakness, fatigue, nausea, hematemesis (vomiting of blood) constipation or diarrhea,
picture weight loss, the appearance spider-like blood vessels on the skin (small angiomas), enlarged liver.
Symptoms of advanced cirrhosis include jaundice, hard liver, Medusa head, ascites, enlargement of breast or gynaecomastioa (in men), intense
itching, reddening of palms, pain in the right quadrant of abdomen.
Treatment Treatment include
Preventing further damage of liver
Treating the complications with cirrhosis
Preventing liver cancer or detecting it early
Liver transplantation
Complications Hepatic encephalopathy Immune system dysfunction leading to infection
Hepatocellular carcinoma Hepatorenal syndrome
Portal hypertension Hepatopulmonary syndrome
Ascites Portopulmonary hypertension
Oesophageal varices Portal hypertensive gastropathy
Prevention Consume a balanced diet
Avoid drugs (including alcohol) that cause liver damage
Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs
Remove blood from patients with haemochromatosis to reduce the level of iron and prevent further liver damage
Suppress the immune system with immunosuppressants to decrease inflammation of liver in autoimmune hepatitis
Immunize the patients with cirrhosis against infection with hepatitis A and B.