The symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver may be fever, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin) swelling of the abdomen, bleeding from the stomach and bruising of the skin. In later stages you may get jaundice. The person who has cirrhosis has a hard time removing toxins from their bodies and early signs of toxins building up in the person's brain could be forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, changes in sleeping and neglect in appearance.
Cirrhosis of the liver is scaring of the liver. It processes the nutrients, drugs, proteins, and toxins. It also processes hormones. The liver is very important part of the body. It helps gets rid of the toxins in the body e.g. Alcohol, nicotine, and other various poisons. It also produces bile "A bitter yellow or greenish liquid secreated by the liver and serving to promote digestion"(Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary, volume 1, A-M") .
Many causes of cirrhosis of the liver include, chronic alcoholism, chronic viral hepatis B, C and D, inherited Diseases e.g. cystic fibrosis. Other causes include parasitic infections an toxins.
Cirrhosis of the liver can be treated, but is irreversible. You can treat the underlying tissue and slow or stop the progression of the disease, but won't cure it. You can also abstinence from alcohol and have a wholesome diet.
Cirrhosis of the liver is diagnosed by medical history and physical exam. You can also have a blood test. Your medical history helps you know want the damage is. You can also get a liver biopsy. First you get your shin numbed then doctors use a special needle to put throe the skin and get a piece of the liver. This is an out patient procedure. If you want to prevent cirrhosis of the liver you can get immunizations to prevent hepatitis A, and B. You can also stop drinking alcohol drinks. Because of cirrhosis of the liver, about 25, 000 people a year die.
The causes of cirrhosis of the liver can be idenified by certain factors. History of excessive drinking of alcohol. Behavioral and physical changes, and a biopsy of the liver tissue.
Everyone who drinks allot of alcohol will probley develop liver problems, only about one third will actually get cirrhosis. For people who drink 8-16 ounces of hard liquer every day for 15 years, about every 1 third get cirrhosis, about 1 third get a fatty liver, and the rest will probley get only have minor liver problems. A poor diet used to be believed to contribute to the problem allot, but now it is thought to be only one of many factors in cirrhosis of the liver.
Some people who are social drinkers may develop cirrhosis. Reasons for this include state of health and nutrition, amount of alcohol they drink, natural tendency to get cirrhosis, and how many times they drink. Women are more likely to develop cirrhosis then men. It is believed that the reason for this is that " men have a greater ability than women to break down the alcohol for elimination" (American liver foundation, http://gi.ucsf.edu/ALF/info/infocirrh.html).
It is shown in studies that women who drink less than men, still go onto get cirrhosis.
The livers responsibility for the proper
functioning of the whole body is that great, that it can effect or
modify the body's responses to other variety's of illnesses.
Cirrhosis of the liver may:
In conclusion with what I have found in my research I would say, if you have cirrhosis you should stop drinking alcoholic beverges and eat healthy. You should also start a exercising routine if possible.
American Liver Foundation. Cirrhosis. www.gastronews.com/pat_info.dir/cirrhosis.html, 1998.
Worman, Howard, J. Cirrhosis. Http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/gildisliv.html, 1998.
Deroin, Dee, Ann. Cirrhosis. www.healthgate.com/hic/cirrhosis_liver, 1999.
American Liver Foundation. Cirrhosis: Many Causes. Http://ggi.ucsf.edu/ALF/info/infocirrh.html, 1997.
Landau, Sidney I., ed. Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary. Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc., 1984. Vol. 1.