F4 - severe cirrhosis

This is an automatically translated article.

This article is expertly consulted by Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Cirrhosis develops through 4 different stages, the degree of which is increasing gradually and poses different threats to the patient. When in the F4 stage of cirrhosis, liver cells are completely damaged, liver disease has progressed to the end stage, at which time the liver is no longer functional.

1. How dangerous is cirrhosis?

If cirrhosis is not detected and treated promptly, it can lead to cirrhosis ascites. This is the stage when the liver is most severely damaged, at this time the liver will no longer function, losing its metabolic function and having water in the abdomen, causing compression of the internal organs, changing the structure of liver cells and cirrhosis. liver chemistry. As a result, the liver's blood filtration, digestion, and bile excretion functions are reduced, the patient's resistance is reduced, and it is easy to get diseases of the intestines, urinary tract, respiratory tract and bile ducts, causing serious health problems. harm the patient's life.
In addition, cirrhosis also causes many dangerous complications for the body such as: gastrointestinal bleeding; Infection; Hepatic encephalopathy (hepatic coma); Liver Cancer .

2. What is F4 cirrhosis? Symptoms of F4 . cirrhosis

Cirrhosis develops through 4 different stages, the degree of which is increasing gradually, and each degree will present different threats to the patient. When in the F1 stage of cirrhosis, the liver begins to appear damaged but has not yet shown clearly. In the F2 stage of cirrhosis, the liver appears to be more damaged and has a markedly impaired function. Toxins are stagnant and cannot be excreted. In the F3 stage of cirrhosis, the liver appears more damaged, the symptoms are also more pronounced, causing the liver to lose most of its inherent functions.
F4 cirrhosis is also known as decompensated cirrhosis or ascites cirrhosis. This is the final stage, the liver cells are completely damaged, the liver disease has progressed to the final stage, at this time the liver is no longer functional, the disease is getting worse and worse, and the patient has to face serious health problems. other pathological symptoms or manifestations of complications caused by cirrhosis.
Symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver F4:
Jaundice: when moving to the decompensated stage, the patient's skin will be dark yellow, the nails and sclera of the patient's eyes will also be yellow. Anorexia, weight loss: patients with cirrhosis of the liver f4 often have anorexia, weakness, and weight loss. Mental clarity: cirrhosis can also affect the brain because the liver's detoxification function is impaired. Ammonia will enter the brain and cause hepatic encephalopathy. Patients often lose consciousness about behavior, speech, lethargy, desire to sleep. Edema, abdominal distention: despite weight loss, patients with cirrhosis of the liver F4 often experience swelling in their limbs, containing fluid inside, leaving an indentation when pressed and 1-2 minutes later. New indentations disappear, abdomen is enlarged, abdominal skin is taut, and blood vessels are clearly raised.

3. Is F4 cirrhosis dangerous?

F4 cirrhosis, if not treated in time, can cause many complications that are dangerous to the health and life of the patient such as:
Gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension: This is a complication caused by tissues. The cirrhosis in the liver puts pressure on the blood vessels, portal hypertension makes the veins more fragile and causes internal bleeding. Hepatic encephalopathy: Also known as hepatic encephalopathy, the disease occurs due to the effects on the brain of substances metabolized by the liver and is one of the most dangerous complications of end-stage cirrhosis because the liver is unable to excavate at this time. Eliminate toxins in the body, causing intellectual disturbances with manifestations such as: not awake, dozing off, lethargic, losing consciousness, shaking hands and feet. Ascites Primary peritonitis. Hepatorenal syndrome Hepatobiliary syndrome Liver cancer.

4. Can F4 cirrhosis be cured?

When the disease is in the F4 stage of cirrhosis, all treatment is to limit the progression of the disease and unwanted complications, but it cannot be cured anymore. F4 cirrhosis is the most dangerous stage.

5. Method of diagnosing cirrhosis

Blood tests When you have cirrhosis, the fibrous tissue in your liver interferes with blood flow through your liver. Blood will flow back to the spleen, causing the spleen to enlarge. The spleen will retain and destroy blood cells, causing the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to decrease, this is also known as hypersplenism. Blood tests showing low platelets can warn of cirrhosis. ·
Ultrasound This is a simple, quick, harmless method that can be performed many times. Currently, the ultrasound elastography method of liver tissue is the best method to evaluate the damage in the liver parenchyma and the degree of cirrhosis. The advantage of the technique is that it is non-invasive, easy to perform in patients with obesity and ascites, and can be applied to many different organs.

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