Cirrhosis

What is Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. Each time your liver is injured, it tries to repair itself, resulting in scar tissue.

Common Causes of Cirrhosis

• Chronic alcohol abuse
• Chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B, C, and D)
• Fat accumulating in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)
• Inherited liver diseases like cystic fibrosis and Wilson's disease
• Iron buildup in the body (hemochromatosis)
• Bile duct conditions (primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis)
• Medications and toxins

When to Seek Medical Help?

Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Easily bleeding or bruising
• Itchy skin
• Yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Swelling in your legs

Our Comprehensive Diagnostic Approach

Detailed Symptom Review:

• Discussing your symptoms thoroughly, including duration and severity.
• Identifying any risk factors and underlying conditions contributing to cirrhosis.

Medical History Evaluation:

• Reviewing your complete medical history, previous liver function tests, and lifestyle factors.
• Assessing family history and genetic predisposition to liver diseases.

Advanced Diagnostic Tests:

• Blood Tests: To check for liver function, complete blood count, and specific markers like bilirubin and albumin.
• Imaging Tests: Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to visualize liver structure and detect abnormalities.
• Liver Biopsy: To confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of liver damage.

Personalized Treatment Plans For You

At GastroDoxs, our goal is to manage the underlying cause and halt or slow the disease progression. Treatment options include:

• Lifestyle Changes: Reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy diet, and regular exercise.
• Medications: Antiviral drugs for hepatitis, medications to control bile flow, and others to manage specific symptoms.

Procedures and Surgeries

• Endoscopic procedures to manage varices and gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Liver transplantation in advanced cases.