What Is Cirrhosis?
First of all to understand what is Cirrhosis, we need to know something about the liver. A healthy liver is redish brown in colour and weighs about 3 lb (1.36 kg). It is located in the upper right side of the abdomen, below the ribs. The anterior surface of the liver is triangular in shape, made of two lobes.
The liver has many functions. Some of the functions are:- To produce substances (bile) that break down fats
- Convert glucose to glycogen
- Produce urea (the main substance of urine)
- Make certain amino acids
- Filter harmful substances from the blood (alcohol)
- Act as storage space for vitamins and minerals
Cirrhosis also known as "Liver cirrhosis". Cirrhosis is the result of chronic liver disease that causes scarring of the liver and liver dysfunction. A doctor may diagnose cirrhosis on the basis of symptoms, laboratory tests, the patient's medical history, and a physical examination. Some patients with cirrhosis, especially early in the course of the disease, will have no obvious clinical signs or symptoms, while some may have some physical changes such as red palms. When time past the amount of scarring tissues increase blocking the flow of blood to the liver which results in slower processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and toxins by the liver. As liver function begins to fail, symptoms of exhaustion, loss of appetite, nausea, and weight loss may become obvious. The affected individual may also experience weakness, abdominal pain, and spider-like blood vessels on the skin. Cirrhosis of the liver may not be recoverable but proper treatment may stop or slow down the progression. Detoxification can further delay progression and reduce complications. A highly effective treatment, which is liver transplantation usually done onto patient with final-stage cirrhosis. This transplantation is needed when biochemical function of the liver is severely affected. Although cirrhosis of liver can be treated by medication but there are still about 25,000 people die from cirrhosis each year.
