May 5, 2012

Cirrhosis of the liver - This is a very serious disease of the liver, the organ in which occurs the irreversible replacement of parenchymal liver tissue by fibrous connective tissue, or stroma. Today, cirrhosis of the liver is a common disease throughout the world: among those of working age, he is considered one of the six leading causes of death. This disease is more common in males. If you compare the incidence of cirrhosis in women, the ratio of the disease in men and women is one to three. Most often, cirrhosis affects people who are over forty years.

Causes of liver cirrhosis

Most often the development of cirrhosis occurs as a consequence of prolonged alcohol intoxication, and develops on the background Viral Hepatitis B, C and D . In more rare cases, cirrhosis of the liver develops in people suffering from diseases of the biliary tract with congestive heart failure, as well as in patients who have undergone various chemical and drug intoxication nature. Sometimes, there are signs of cirrhosis in people who suffer from hereditary metabolic disorders. Also, a certain number of patients the primary biliary cirrhosis   the liver, the etiology of which remains unclear.

Cirrhosis occurs as one of the most dangerous complications of many diseases of the liver. When disease that eventually leads to cirrhosis, to some extent destroyed liver cells. As a result, there are scars on the liver tumors, and the activities of the body can not continue to develop normally. Sometimes, the development of cirrhosis provoke toxic poisoning substances, fats, drugs and alcohol.

Thus, the main causes of liver cirrhosis are the following conditions:
- Alcoholic cirrhosis . This cause of the disease occurs on the background of alcohol abuse. In this case, the important point is the quantity and frequency of drinking.
- Cryptogenic cirrhosis . The reason for this form of the disease has not been established to date. This form of cirrhosis is considered the primary indication for Liver Transplant . After disease progression occurs extremely quickly.
- Cirrhosis, which provokes chronic viral hepatitis . People who suffer from viral hepatitis, should always take courses maintenance treatment, or cirrhosis is inevitable.
- Genetically inherited cirrhosis . In this case, there is an accumulation of toxins and subsequent destruction of the liver.
- Primary biliary cirrhosis . More common in women. Thus there is a blockage of the bile ducts in the liver, leading to its destruction.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis . It is rare in people with ulcerative colitis . There is infection of the bile duct, damaged tissue, cirrhosis.
-   Autoimmune hepatitis . It arises as a result of a strong immune activity of the organism.
- The birth of children without bile ducts.
- Liver drugs.

Cirrhosis - this is a very serious disease that often leads to death. After all, the work of the liver in the human body is extremely important: this body provides removal of toxins, as well as human waste. The function of the liver is also a synthesis of many substances that are essential for the normal functioning of the body. In addition, the development of cirrhosis of the liver breaks the interaction and liver bile ducts, leading to serious violations of the digestive process.

What happens when liver cirrhosis?

Liver cirrhosis that affects, either decreases or increases in size, her having roughness, bumps, it becomes very dense. When cirrhosis occurs necrosis   liver tissue. Processes occurring in this disease are diffuse: they are involved in the whole body. Often it becomes a continuation of the development of cirrhosis liver cancer .

In the liver, there are so-called cirrhotic nodes . They are regenerative units   tissue repair on the spot death of liver cells. Such cells are surrounded by fibrous connective tissue. However, even though the cells and recovered, but their blood supply is not normal. As a consequence, they can not perform their functions. Initially, fibrosis   It may be reversible. Therefore, at the slightest of exacerbations should immediately start treatment for reducing the fibrosis.

Cirrhosis is classified by structure arising nodes. If developing MKD shape disease, the diameter of the majority of nodes in the liver does not exceed 3 mm. This form of the disease often manifests itself in alcoholic cirrhosis and cirrhosis, which occurs as a result of violations of the outflow bile   and venous blood. In this form of cirrhosis or liver appears normal, or increased.

If a patient develops SKD form   cirrhosis, the size of the units is sometimes even a few centimeters. This form of cirrhosis seen against the background of chronic viral hepatitis, and also due to some genetic disorders. In this case, the liver often shrinks.

Cirrhosis Manifestations depend on how reduced liver function, as well as the severity of the intrahepatic disorders. It is often diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver when a patient hold detailed clinical manifestations. Often the disease is already detected at the last stage.

Symptoms of liver cirrhosis

Symptoms of liver cirrhosis a long time may not appear at all. The disease is sometimes asymptomatic for several years. Sometimes symptoms of cirrhosis are minimal and even atypical. Very often, a person from whom develop cirrhosis, occurs only asthenic syndrome . At the same time worried sick feeling sleepiness   and fatigue, it decreases the ability of active work. However, few people may be suspected of serious illness, writing off these symptoms to normal overwork . Sometimes the development of cirrhosis of the liver as a person sees loss of memory, it is lost erstwhile intelligence.

However, with careful attention to their own health can be seen, and other signs of liver cirrhosis. Some of them are common to other diseases of the body. On the skin and in the eyes of the person appears small yellowness. Such yellowing occurs due to excessively high blood content bilirubin .

You may experience itching, redness of the palms. The skin may become too dry can occur baldness   and problems potency   men. At the same time, women can observe failures of the menstrual cycle, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, periodically belching, nausea.

In the later stages of the disease symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver become more pronounced. Men sometimes grow breasts, there may be loss of hair on the chest and extremities. The human peritoneal cavity fluid accumulates, thereby increasing the stomach. In parallel, thin legs can be patient on the skin arise bruises for no reason , Veins appear on the abdomen and legs.

Symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver is also a darkening and clouding of urine of the patient, while the feces becomes lighter.

Sometimes patients note the appearance of bleeding Hemorrhoids , Previously not characteristic for them. It is also noted the constant flow of blood from the gums. They first blood only during tooth brushing, blood can later go for no reason, and sores on the gums do not heal for a long time. The cause of the described phenomenon becomes reduced blood clotting .

If a patient is suspected development of liver cirrhosis, symptoms described above should immediately alert the person to become a pretext and an immediate visit to the doctor.

Complications of liver cirrhosis

If the patient manifested cirrhosis, symptoms and diseases can be more serious. In this case we are talking about the complications of cirrhosis. During the progression of the disease is the accumulation of salt and water in the body, which eventually becomes initially cause leg edema and later - abdominal portion. As a rule, the person concerned about swelling in the evening.

Complication of cirrhosis of the liver often becomes spontaneous bacterial peritonitis . The peritoneal fluid is accumulated, that is a prerequisite for the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In this case it is a danger to the life of a man who is ill with liver cirrhosis. Symptoms of this might not occur, or the patient is suffering from fever, abdominal pain, fever . diarrhea , Poor appetite.

In cirrhosis often occur inside bleeding   in view of the creation of obstacles to normal blood flow by scar tissue. Bleeding may occur around the liver, and sometimes develops internal phlebeurysm . All these manifestations may be hazardous to the patient's life. If such bleeding in a patient is often manifested vomiting containing blood, fainting, dizziness .

Another complication of cirrhosis of the liver - hepatic encephalopathy . This is a dangerous condition in which there is an accumulation of toxins in the blood of a patient. As a result, it may cause abnormalities in the brain. At this state symptoms may occur daily sleeping and waking at night, constant irritability, loss of concentration. As a result, possible coma   and subsequent death.

Hepatorenal syndrome   - Another complication of liver cirrhosis. In this case, a reduction in renal function leading to their slow destruction. The most dangerous complication of cirrhosis is liver cancer . To date, this form of cancer - the second in the number of deaths from all cancer diseases.

Diagnosis of liver cirrhosis

The most accurate method to diagnose cirrhosis of the liver, is today biopsy   liver. Critical and questioning of the patient, because the doctor should know about how much alcohol uses the patient, whether the patient is ill with viral hepatitis. The specialist conducts palpation of the liver to determine whether it is increased.

In addition, the doctor is required to evaluate the symptoms that are manifested in the patient.

Sometimes held endoscopy At which fixed esophageal varices.

In addition, in cases of suspected liver cirrhosis in some cases appointed by computed tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging. Also appointed to analyze the blood.

Treatment of liver cirrhosis

Treatment of liver cirrhosis should primarily be aimed at in order to eliminate further damage to the liver tissue. It is also important to prevent or treat complications of the disease, to carry out preventive measures to prevent liver cancer. In some cases described above, it is necessary to produce a liver transplant. Repotting should be done if the treatment of liver cirrhosis does not bring results. Note, however, that this method has a lot of contraindications.

To achieve normalization metabolism   liver cells use vitamin complexes, as well as drugs Riboxinum, Essentiale. If the patient holds an autoimmune liver cirrhosis, he prescribe glucocorticoids .

If the person has bleeding or other serious symptoms, it should be urgently hospitalized.

In general, the effectiveness of the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver in the first place depends on how fully a person observes the rest corresponding to diet   cirrhosis of the liver. It is important to completely abandon the use of alcoholic beverages. A prerequisite for the treatment of cirrhosis is a constant supervision by the treating physician. In general, treatment of this disease should be aimed at to stop the progression of the disease.

Diet in cirrhosis

Dieting with cirrhosis of the liver involves, above all, the rejection of food in which there is a high protein content. After all, in patients with cirrhosis of the liver breaks down the digestion of protein foods, and as a result the intensity of the processes of decay in the gut increases. Diet for cirrhosis includes periodic fasting days during which the patient does not consume foods containing protein. In addition, the important point is to limit the use together with the main meal of salt.

Diet for cirrhosis of the liver involves the exclusion of all foods that contain baking soda and baking powder. You can not eat pickles, bacon, ham, seafood, corned beef, canned foods, sausages, sauces, salt, cheese, ice cream. To improve the taste of the products, you can use spices instead of salt, lemon juice.

Diet for cirrhosis of the liver allows the use of small amounts of dietary meat - rabbit, veal, poultry. Once a day, you can eat one egg.

Prevention of liver cirrhosis

The most important prevention measure in this case is the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to adhere to the principles of proper and healthy diet, avoid alcohol. If a person develops chronic hepatitis, they need time to heal, choosing the right tactics treatment. Power of people who have been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, should take place only in accordance with the rules of the respective diets. Periodically, you need to use vitamins and minerals. Patients with cirrhosis vaccinate patients against hepatitis A and B.