What is Cirrhosis of the Liver?
Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition in which the liver is damaged and scarred due to hepatitis (B, C), alcoholism, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The liver repairs itself from damage caused by your lifestyle and diet, but when it is repeatedly damaged, scars develop. These scars begin to affect the liver’s functions and eventually stop working. Then the liver becomes damaged. Cirrhosis.
Symptoms of cirrhosis are ~
Fatigue, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, easy bleeding, easy bruising, jaundice, yellowing of the eyes, swollen limbs, swollen abdomen (edema), weight loss, itching, spider veins on the skin, menstrual periods in women, breast enlargement in men, Sexual dysfunction, and in advanced stages, dizziness, confusion, and slurred speech.
The main causes of cirrhosis are ~
Excessive alcohol consumption, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) due to hepatitis B and C, Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis, and autoimmune diseases.
Possible complications of cirrhosis include –
Portal hypertension, pressure on the blood vessels in the esophagus and stomach, vomiting blood, jaundice, swelling of the limbs, edema, brain damage due to the liver’s inability to remove toxins (Hepatic Encephalopathy), dizziness, loss of consciousness, confusion, and possible liver cancer.
How can you prevent cirrhosis?
Don’t drink alcohol. (It can reduce liver damage)
Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Eat a healthy diet.
Control your weight. (Being overweight can cause fatty liver)
If you have any of the above symptoms, you should get checked out early by people with hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and those who drink alcohol. In addition, if you vomit blood, have black stools, or faint, you need to see a doctor immediately.
In summary, cirrhosis is not a reversible disease, but if you can check it out early and control the cause, you can control the disease and prevent it from getting worse. In conclusion, it is most important to prevent the liver from getting worse.