Liver Cirrhosis

It is the process where, as a result of years of damage, the liver—which has a very high self-renewal capacity—gives up, loses its soft structure, and becomes irreversibly covered with rock-hard scar marks.

Chronic alcohol addiction is the most known cause. However, today, untreated Hepatitis B/Hepatitis C infections and severe fatty liver due to obesity (NASH) are the other most common causes of cirrhosis.

Its early stages are silent. As the organ enters failure; excessive fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites), edema in the legs, jaundice in the eyes, spider-web-like veins on the skin, bleeding tendency, and muscle wasting begin.

Blood cannot pass through the hardened liver, and blood pressure increases. This pressure redirects the blood to the small veins in the esophagus, causing them to swell (varices). With the rupture of these varices, fatal vomiting of blood from the mouth occurs.

Blood tests show deteriorated levels of liver enzymes and proteins. Ultrasonography reveals that the liver has shrunk and its edges have become serrated. A definitive diagnosis is made with a Fibroscan (liver stiffness measurement) or biopsy.

Once cirrhosis has formed, there is no drug to revert that hard tissue back to its former healthy state. Treatment aims to stop the damage (cutting alcohol/virus) and manage complications. In the final stage (decompensated cirrhosis), the only way to survive is to undergo a Liver Transplant.