Liver cirrhosis: Causes, symptoms and treatment of the disease from vital signs patient education Watch Video

⏲ Duration: 26:0
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✓ Published: 03-May-2024

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Liver cirrhosis is a fairly serious disease, as a result of which some hepatocytes are destroyed, forming scar tissue.<br/>The most dangerous complication of this disease is liver failure.<br/>Poor blood circulation in the liver can cause varicose veins of the esophagus.<br/>There are about 100 million patients with liver cirrhosis on our planet, and 500 thousand deaths are recorded annually.<br/>The main signs of liver cirrhosis are: spider-like blood vessels on the chest and shoulders; menstrual cycle disorders in women; loss of sexual desire; breast enlargement in men; fatigue; sleep problems; redness of the palms; swelling of the legs and arms; prolonged itching; abdominal enlargement; blood vomiting; black stool with blood; dark colored urine; jaundice of the skin and eyes; significant weight loss/gain.<br/>The liver of a healthy adult weighs 2.5 kg.<br/>The most important functions of the liver are: producing bile, maintaining normal blood composition, detoxifying the body, destroying damaged red blood cells, maintaining immunity.<br/>The liver can work even if 70% of its weight is destroyed.<br/>The causes of liver cirrhosis can be: alcohol abuse; long courses of drug treatment; prolonged exposure to harmful substances on the body; long-term bile obstruction; genetic defects; viruses.<br/>Alcohol abuse can cause severe damage to the liver, outweighing the beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.<br/>Women can consume 1-2 glasses of wine per day, and men about 2-3 glasses. But these values ​​may be lower depending on your health status.<br/>Alcoholic hepatitis and fatty degeneration of hepatocytes (fatty hepatosis) can affect the development of liver cirrhosis.<br/>Hepatitis B and C viruses can cause cirrhosis of the liver.<br/>In Wilson-Konovalov disease, copper accumulates in the liver, and in hemochromatosis, iron accumulates. Both diseases can be complicated by cirrhosis.<br/>Galactosemia is characterized by impaired carbohydrate metabolism, which negatively affects the liver.<br/>Congenital bile duct defects and gallstones are also possible causes of this disease.<br/>Diagnosis of liver cirrhosis includes liver tests and liver tissue biopsy.<br/>Treatment of the disease requires changes in diet, avoidance of contact with various chemicals, treatment of hepatitis or Wilson-Konovalov disease, hemochromatosis, and complete abstinence from alcohol.<br/>Liver transplantation is the last resort for treating the disease. But it may not be suitable for everyone due to various risks.<br/>Milk thistle is used to treat cirrhosis.<br/>Nutrition for cirrhosis includes various recommendations. It is especially important not to abuse alcoholic beverages and medications, and to avoid consuming raw shellfish and crustaceans.