World Liver Day is observed annually on 19 April to raise awareness about liver health and to highlight the importance of preventing and managing liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. The day aims to educate people about the risk factors, causes and consequences of liver diseases, as well as promote early detection, proper management and healthy lifestyle choices to maintain liver health.
Liver cirrhosis is a significant global health concern, and the day serves as a reminder to take steps to prevent liver diseases, such as avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, and viral hepatitis. Get vaccinated against and seek timely medical care. Liver related symptoms. It encourages individuals to support liver health research, spread awareness and provide support to those affected by liver cirrhosis or other liver diseases.
Understanding the symptoms and causes of liver cirrhosis and liver health is critical to preventing liver disease and improving the overall well-being of individuals around the world.
Dr. Anubhav Jain, Consultant, Gastroenterology, Paras Health, Gurugram says, “Liver cirrhosis is scarring of the liver due to long-term damage, it is sometimes called end-stage liver disease because it is the result of liver damage. Occurs after other stages such as hepatitis. Scarring prevents the normal functioning of the liver and can lead to life-threatening complications.
Liver cirrhosis: how does it happen?
Your liver tries to repair itself every time it is injured. “The cause of liver injury can be excessive alcohol consumption, chronic hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty steatosis etc. In the process of healing itself, the liver creates scar tissue. Cirrhosis gets worse when more and more scar tissue builds up, and it makes it harder for the liver to do its job. Advanced liver cirrhosis requires immediate medical intervention as it is life-threatening. Liver transplantation may be inevitable in severe cases. The damaged liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a donor in a liver transplant procedure. In fact, cirrhosis is the reason behind most liver transplants,” says Dr. Aakar Kapoor, CEO and Lead Medical Advisor, Citi X-Ray & Scan Clinic Partner, Citi Imaging & Clinical Labs.
As liver tissue becomes damaged, it loses its ability to function properly, leading to complications such as jaundice, ascites, portal hypertension and hepatic encephalopathy. These complications can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Dr. Abhay Singh, Senior Consultant, Gastroenterologist, Primus Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi says, “Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic liver disease caused by causes such as alcoholism, hepatitis B and C infection, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity , and toxicity risk. Fatigue, weakness, jaundice, itchy skin, and abdominal discomfort or bloating are all possible symptoms.
risk
Primary risk factors for cirrhosis of the liver include excessive alcohol consumption or alcohol abuse. “Being obese or overweight can also increase your risk of conditions that can lead to cirrhosis. These conditions may include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Therefore, obesity is one of the risk factors for cirrhosis. Apart from this, having viral hepatitis can also lead to this condition. Chronic hepatitis is the world’s leading cause of liver disease, although not everyone will develop cirrhosis,” says Dr. Kapoor.
Symptom
Dr Jain shares the symptoms of liver cirrhosis:
- feeling weak and tired
- nausea
- loss of appetite
- loss of muscle mass
- red spots on the skin
If cirrhosis becomes advanced:
- Jaundice
- vomiting blood or passing black stools
- itchy skin
- dark colored urine
- easy bleeding/bruising
- leg edema or abdominal ascites
- loss of libido
Cause:
- obesity or diabetes
- chronic alcohol use
- chronic untreated viral liver infections such as hepatitis B and C
- immune diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis
- Diseases affecting the bile ducts, such as primary biliary cholangitis
stages of liver cirrhosis
- hepatitis
- compensated cirrhosis
- decompensated cirrhosis
A medical history, physical exam, blood tests, imaging studies, and a liver biopsy are used to make the diagnosis. Early identification and management of risk factors is important to avoid or limit liver cirrhosis, which can lead to major consequences such as liver failure, liver cancer, and even death.
diagnosis
Radiology tests such as computed tomography (CT scan), ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are commonly used to diagnose liver cirrhosis. In some cases, a needle biopsy of the liver is also done to diagnose the condition. A new imaging technique called elastography can also diagnose the condition. The technique can be performed with ultrasound or MRI.
“For better risk stratification, diagnosis, and treatment decision-making, accurate diagnosis of liver fibrosis is essential. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for assessing liver fibrosis, is invasive, costly, and impractical for surveillance and treatment response monitoring. Fibroscan is a non-invasive painless test, without patient discomfort, and can be performed at the point of care. Its results are immediate; therefore physicians can use them to make decisions during patient visits. Liver biopsy In comparison, it is less widespread and is not associated with any side effects,” believes Dr Kapoor. The report generated from FibroScan will include a CAP score for grading fatty liver, as well as liver stiffness for estimation of Young’s modulus in kilopascals.
According to research, there is no cure for cirrhosis yet, but your doctor can treat your symptoms caused by the condition with medication, lifestyle changes, or by recommending a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Liver transplant is also an option for some patients, but it can have some complications.
Treatment options depend on the underlying cause of the disease, but may include lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases, a liver transplant.
Prevention of liver cirrhosis includes avoiding alcohol abuse, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting vaccinated against viral hepatitis. Early detection and treatment of the disease can improve outcomes and prevent complications.
Liver cirrhosis is a serious medical condition that can greatly affect one’s life. The good news is that with the advancement in medical science and diagnostic technology, it can be treated and even managed if taken care of in time. “The liver is an important organ that processes nutrients and removes toxins from the circulation, among many other functions. Therefore, it plays an important role in the normal functioning of the body and should be taken care of,” Dr. Kapoor said.
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