Cirrhosis of the liver

Liver cirrhosis is a lesser known condition. But because the disease can progress far without serious symptoms occurring, liver cirrhosis is a condition that is often fatal.

In liver cirrhosis, the liver tissue is damaged so badly that it can no longer recover. The cause can be long-term alcohol use, but also hepatitis B or C, fat accumulation in the liver, hemochromatosis and many other conditions.

The liver cells become inflamed, die and are replaced by scar tissue. In early cirrhosis, the liver will enlarge to compensate for the dead cells. In the end stage, the liver will shrink and serious problems will arise.

In the beginning, few complaints will occur. Only at a later stage do nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice, itching, small spider-shaped blood vessels on the chest and red palms occur. In an advanced stage, pressure on the portal vein can cause varicose veins in the esophagus or stomach and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024