This is an automatically translated article.
The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Liver cirrhosis is a dangerous disease and can leave many complications, even death. In essence, this is the continuation or final stage of cirrhosis. Therefore, you need to know the causes of liver cirrhosis and how to prevent it to keep the liver healthy.
1. What is cirrhosis of the liver?
After cirrhosis, the patient will turn to cirrhosis. On the liver, the fibrous organizations will divide into many small organizations such as nodules. Once the liver is calloused, the ability of the liver to recover is impossible, this is the stage of liver cirrhosis and the liver organization is becoming smaller and more solid.
Liver cirrhosis can occur due to many causes such as: viral hepatitis, alcohol, malaria... Specifically:
Hepatitis B or C virus causes inflammation and damage to liver cells. Abuse of alcohol, drinking homemade alcohol with strong toxins puts pressure on the liver, leading to cirrhosis, liver cirrhosis. Malaria or poisoning with chemicals, toxins in the environment (such as arsenic) also cause liver function to rapidly decline. Abuse of oral drugs without the guidance of a doctor also leads to liver cirrhosis.
2. What are the symptoms of liver cirrhosis?
In the early stages, liver cirrhosis has almost no obvious symptoms that make the patient subjective. Some patients with cirrhosis will show symptoms of cirrhosis such as: weight loss, fatigue, jaundice, yellow eyes, itching (due to stagnation of bile pigments), dark urine... Therefore, people Patients should pay attention to observe the symptoms of the body.
MORE: Is liver cirrhosis dangerous?
Patients quickly appear clearer and more dangerous symptoms when liver cirrhosis suddenly breaks out such as:
Gastrointestinal and esophageal bleeding Passing black stools. Vomiting black blood Jaundice and itching all over. Ascites Edema In addition, liver cirrhosis also causes consequences for the nervous system because the liver no longer has the function of eliminating toxins, resulting in the toxins being completely dissolved into the blood, causing paralysis of brain cells. Symptoms are:
Slow to recognize, quick to forget Confusion, depression Sadness, depression Insomnia, easy hot flashes, Indiscriminate, confusing speech Tremors and sleepiness Memory disorders Death In addition, some Cases often have dull abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant, pale facial skin, multiple collateral circulatory systems, varicose veins (many tiny blood vessels like spider webs) especially in the chest area.
Splenomegaly is one of the common symptoms in patients with cirrhosis. The function of gonads, pancreas and viscera of patients with cirrhosis of the liver is also seriously affected. The above effects make male patients impotent, female patients have erratic experiences...
Therefore, cirrhosis not only causes liver damage but also is difficult to recover and affects many other organs. other organs in the body.
With the advancement of medicine, liver transplantation is considered the only method of treating cirrhosis. During treatment, the patient must strictly adhere to the doctor's treatment regimen, have a scientific diet, suitable for the disease. Avoid alcohol, beer, tobacco, because these substances are harmful to the liver.
MORE: Warning signs to screen for liver cancer
3. How to prevent cirrhosis of the liver?
If the process of progressing from hepatitis to cirrhosis takes place month after month, year after year, the process from cirrhosis to cirrhosis takes place very quickly and silently, and leaves serious consequences for the patient. Therefore, the prevention of liver cirrhosis should be promoted, because once you have had cirrhosis, recovery is impossible. Liver transplantation is the only cure for cirrhosis.
Here are some notes to help you prevent liver cirrhosis very early:
First of all, it is very important to be diagnosed and treated early, helping to prevent dangerous complications. Therefore, when you appear symptoms of hepatitis such as fatigue, loss of appetite, jaundice, ... you need to see a doctor for examination, testing, diagnosis and treatment. Liver biopsy can be ordered to observe liver cells under the microscope, this is one of the most effective and accurate methods. Vaccination is currently an effective and safe way to prevent liver diseases. Therefore, children, adults, and people who have never had hepatitis should receive the hepatitis B vaccine as required. As a result, liver-related damage: hepatitis, cirrhosis, scar tissue, and liver cirrhosis will be prevented. Alcohol, beer and other stimulants are toxic to the human liver. Because when these substances go with the body will have to go through the liver to eliminate. With the constant elimination of toxic substances, liver function will soon be damaged. Malaria is one of the causes of hepatitis. Therefore, for prevention, people living in malaria-affected areas need to take preventive measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and actively kill mosquitoes. Maintaining regular exercise both improves health and keeps an optimistic and comfortable spirit to fight all diseases. In case, you have hepatitis B, it is necessary to check liver function, quantify hepatitis B virus, periodically ultrasound liver, especially do alpha-feto-protein test (a common protein in liver cancer) ). Liver function test in chronic hepatitis to assess whether liver enzymes are elevated, combined with HBsAg and HBeAg tests, if possible, hepatitis B virus should be quantified (if HBsAg is positive) to know. is chronic hepatitis B or a healthy carrier of the hepatitis virus. Knowing that chronic hepatitis B requires intensive treatment and consultation from a doctor, preferably an infectious disease specialist.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has Hepatobiliary Screening packages, which help detect Hepatitis Virus at an early stage even when there are no symptoms. In addition, the comprehensive hepatobiliary screening package helps customers:
Evaluate the liver's ability to work through liver enzyme tests; Evaluation of bile function; vascular nutrition; Early screening for liver cancer; Perform tests such as Total blood cell analysis, blood clotting ability, screening for hepatitis B, C Assessment of liver and biliary status through ultrasound images and diseases that are at risk of affecting liver disease / liver disease. more severe liver disease In-depth analysis of parameters to evaluate hepatobiliary function through laboratory and subclinical tests; the risk of affecting the liver and early screening for hepatobiliary cancer.
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