Signs of liver cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is one of the most dangerous complications of many liver diseases. As a result of destruction of liver cells (poisoning, inflammation or scarring) appear tumors, and the body gradually stops its normal functioning.

The disease is often prevalent in men is approximately 3:1 compared to women. Cirrhosis of the liver in economically developed countries among the six major causes of death in patients aged 35-60 years. Every year the disease kills about 300 thousand people and every year the number of deaths is increasing.

For several years, cirrhosis may not manifest itself and not have complications. It is very important at this point to eliminate the cause of the disease, preserving the remaining healthy tissue and lead a normal lifestyle. By itself, the liver has a great ability of restoration (regeneration), and healthy cells can work not only for themselves but also for their lost comrades.

Over time, begin to emerge following the first signs of cirrhosis of the liver:

• tiredness and fatigue;
• weight loss;
• decreased appetite or complete loss of it;
• discomfort, pain in the abdomen;
• itching;
• yellowness of the skin;
• bruises;
• accumulation of fluid in the legs and abdomen;
• dizziness.

It is also possible to allocate such external signs of liver cirrhosis as an increase in the volume of the stomach, nosebleeds and bleeding gums, dark urine and discoloration of the feces, decrease in sexual activity, and men breast enlargement.

Causes of cirrhosis of the liver:

• excessive or prolonged use of alcohol;
• hepatitis chronic forms;
• autoimmune disease;
• steatohepatit not an alcoholic;
• obstruction of the biliary tract;
• hereditary disease;
• reaction to the poison or drugs.

Alcoholism, ranking second among the causes of cirrhosis of the liver, second only to chronic hepatitis C, and may be asymptomatic. The prognosis of alcoholic cirrhosis depends on the activity and stage of the disease and continue drinking and further development of complications. The cause of death is bleeding from the varicose veins with increasing portal hypertension, hepatocellular carcinoma and bacterial infection. Most patients live a little with cirrhosis of the liver, and the average length of life remaining is 60%.

Cirrhosis of the liver goes through several stages:

• The compensation stage. There are no symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver.
• Stage subcompensation occur the first symptoms.
• Liver cirrhosis in the decompensation stage. Manifestation of liver failure. Stage life-threatening, so needs urgent treatment.

Cirrhosis of the liver last stage develops many years after onset of the disease. And regardless of the form of disease is characterized by the signs of failure of the hepatic cells and the manifestation of complications. Body is significantly reduced in size, there gastro-esophageal bleeding, coma occurs, which ultimately leads to death.

If treated cirrhosis of the liver?

Cirrhosis of the liver completely, there is no cure, but can stop the disease. And the sooner the treatment of cirrhosis, the more the chances of recovery. Therapy of cirrhosis is aimed not prevent further destruction of liver tissue, treatment of complications, prevention of liver cancer and, in some cases, even the transplantation of this organ.

In any case it is impossible:

• To self-medicate. To take any drugs without your doctor's approval.
• To take alcoholic beverages.
• The poor diet.
• To ignore medical advice.Only highly motivated patient and discipline can lead to positive results.

Cirrhosis of the liver and pregnancy