What is liver cirrhosis, probably everyone has an idea. This disease is not uncommon. Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic progressive hepatic pathology, which is characterized by a decrease in the total number of normally functioning hepatocytes (liver cells), restructuring of the tissue structure of the organ, fibrosis, the appearance of regenerative nodes, the development of portal hypertension, as well as general liver failure.
Symptomatology
Cirrhosis is the last stage in the development of various liver diseases. For a long time, it may practically not manifest itself in anything, or its symptoms are so minimal and atypical that it is quite difficult to recognize an ailment without a special examination. At the initial stage, the pathology does not cause serious complications. It is this period that is most favorable for identifying and eliminating the cause of the disease, as well as maintaining the remaining healthy liver tissue. The fact is that this body has a very large regenerative potential. It all depends on the severity and level of changes that led to cirrhosis. “How many live with him” is a question that interests all patients. If treatment is started at the initial stage, then there are even good chances of recovery.
With the further course of the disease, the patient does not exclude various changes from the side of behavior and consciousness, the abdomen may increase, bleeding of the gums and nosebleeds may appear. Patients complain of high fatigue, drowsiness in the daytime, insomnia at night, decreased appetite. They also have severity and / or pain in the epigastric region, jaundice, feces discoloration, and urine darkens greatly. Subcutaneous hemorrhages may appear and gastrointestinal bleeding may begin. In men, sexual desire decreases, and in women, a menstrual cycle and gynecomastia (breast enlargement) are often observed. Along with the above symptoms, people begin to get sick more often with infectious diseases of bacterial etiology.
The liver may increase or, conversely, decrease, but in both cases its compaction is noted. Sometimes patients complain of dull pain in her area. There is also an increase in the spleen, itching of the skin, as well as diarrhea and vomiting. On examination, vascular asterisks, redness of the palms of the hands are found on the skin in patients. The tongue in patients acquires a bright crimson color. This disease has various forms: congestive, alcoholic, viral, biliary cirrhosis.
Causes of Cirrhosis
The most common causes that cause this disease are:
- hepatitis viruses (B, C, D);
- metabolic disorders;
- alcoholism;
- autoimmune hepatitis ;
- Wilson-Konovalov disease.
There are other causes that cause cirrhosis. How much they live with it depends on the stage of the disease.
Treatment
With a disease such as liver cirrhosis, how much they live with it depends on the timeliness of diagnosis and the choice of the right treatment. In this disease, therapy is carried out, the main purpose of which is to slow down or completely stop the progression of the disease, as well as eliminate its causes (for example, treatment of viral hepatitis). Other tasks are to alleviate the patient's condition and improve his quality of life. The treatment course includes: drug therapy, dieting, prevention and elimination of complications. The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease and the stage at which treatment was started. For some complications, surgical and endoscopic treatment methods are indicated. In the terminal stage, cirrhosis is not treated. Only a liver transplant operation can save the patient.
Cirrhosis of the liver: how many live with it
From the above it follows that cirrhosis is a consequence of a long pathology, which can be caused by various reasons. Without timely and proper therapy, the patient will die. If treatment was started on time and it was prescribed correctly, then the pathological process can be greatly slowed down, stopped, and even completely cured of the disease.