Causes and Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

Study Notes

Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease due to:
- Viral hepatitis (B and C)
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Genetic disorders (e.g., hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease)
Other factors:
- Chronic bile duct obstruction
- Certain medications (e.g., methotrexate)
- Exposure to toxins (e.g., aflatoxins)

Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

Early stages:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
Advanced stages:
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Ascites (fluid accumulation in abdomen)
- Edema (swelling in legs and feet)
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Confusion and altered mental state (hepatic encephalopathy)

Diagnosis of Liver Cirrhosis

Medical history and physical examination
Laboratory tests:
- Liver function tests (LFTs)
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Blood clotting tests (e.g., INR)
Imaging studies:
- Ultrasound
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Liver biopsy (in some cases)

Treatment Options for Liver Cirrhosis

Lifestyle modifications:
- Abstain from alcohol
- Lose weight (if obese)
- Exercise regularly
- Healthy diet
Medications:
- Diuretics (for ascites)
- Beta blockers (for portal hypertension)
- Lactulose (for hepatic encephalopathy)
- Vitamin supplements (e.g., vitamin D)
Endoscopic procedures:
- Banding or sclerotherapy (for esophageal varices)
- Endoscopic ultrasound (for portal hypertension)

Liver Transplantation

Indications:
- Decompensated liver cirrhosis
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
- Fulminant liver failure
Evaluation process:
- Medical and surgical evaluation
- Psychosocial evaluation
- Waiting list prioritization (e.g., MELD score)
Post-transplant care:
- Immunosuppressive therapy
- Regular follow-up appointments
- Monitoring for complications (e.g., rejection, infection)

Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease caused by viral hepatitis (B and C), alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune hepatitis, and genetic disorders (e.g., hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease)
Chronic bile duct obstruction, certain medications (e.g., methotrexate), and exposure to toxins (e.g., aflatoxins) also contribute to liver cirrhosis

Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

Early stages characterized by fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain
Advanced stages marked by jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), ascites (fluid accumulation in abdomen), edema (swelling in legs and feet), easy bruising and bleeding, and confusion and altered mental state (hepatic encephalopathy)

Diagnosis of Liver Cirrhosis

Medical history and physical examination are crucial for diagnosis
Laboratory tests include liver function tests (LFTs), complete blood count (CBC), and blood clotting tests (e.g., INR)
Imaging studies used for diagnosis are ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Liver biopsy may be necessary in some cases

Treatment Options for Liver Cirrhosis

Lifestyle modifications include abstinence from alcohol, weight loss (if obese), regular exercise, and a healthy diet
Medications used to treat liver cirrhosis include diuretics (for ascites), beta blockers (for portal hypertension), lactulose (for hepatic encephalopathy), and vitamin supplements (e.g., vitamin D)
Endoscopic procedures such as banding or sclerotherapy (for esophageal varices) and endoscopic ultrasound (for portal hypertension) may be necessary

Liver Transplantation

Indications for liver transplantation include decompensated liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer), and fulminant liver failure
Evaluation process involves medical and surgical evaluation, psychosocial evaluation, and waiting list prioritization (e.g., MELD score)
Post-transplant care includes immunosuppressive therapy, regular follow-up appointments, and monitoring for complications (e.g., rejection, infection)

Description

This quiz covers the causes and symptoms of liver cirrhosis, including chronic liver disease, viral hepatitis, and other factors. It also explores the early stages of liver cirrhosis and its associated symptoms.