Liver Cirrhosis in Utah
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Find a ProviderWhat is liver cirrhosis?
Your liver is one of the vital organs in your body, serving to filter out harmful toxins from your blood and break down fat in the food you consume. Liver cirrhosis, additionally called hepatic cirrhosis, is a medical condition where the liver is inflamed and scarred from issues like late-stage liver disease and chronic alcohol abuse. As more and more scar tissue forms, the functionality of the liver continually decreases. The various levels of severity of liver cirrhosis are classified into four individual stages.
Stage 1: There is some scarring of the liver but not many symptoms and no complications.
Stage 2: Further symptoms begin to occur, including enlarged and swollen veins and hypertension in the portal vein in the liver (referred to as portal hypertension).
Stage 3: Symptoms involve advanced scarring of liver tissue and abdominal swelling accompanied by significant complications and possibly liver failure.
Stage 4: At this stage, the condition can be deadly in the absence of a liver transplant.
At Utah Gastroenterology, our GI team can detect, treat, and help manage liver conditions. To get care for liver cirrhosis in Utah, request an appointment at a location near you today.
What causes liver cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis manifests as a result of liver damage and scarring, which can be caused by a number of health issues. Some of these include:
- Wilson's disease
- Bile duct damage
- Obesity
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Sugar metabolism disorders
- Certain medications
- Cystic fibrosis
- Abnormal formation of bile ducts
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Iron accumulation in the body
- Inherited gastrointestinal conditions
- Alcohol use disorder
- Infection
- Viral liver infections (hepatitis B & C)
- Liver disease caused by autoimmune hepatitis
In the event you develop liver issues and require help, connect with our GI providers at Utah Gastroenterology. Our skill and experience can lead you toward the appropriate options for individualized treatment.
What are common signs and symptoms of liver cirrhosis?
Early signs of liver cirrhosis can be subtle, and for some patients, the disease may develop without any noticeable symptoms. However, some of the initial signs that you might notice could include lethargy, weakness, and lack of appetite. When cirrhosis of the liver proceeds to progress, the symptoms may involve:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes/skin)
- Nausea or queasiness
- Swollen legs
- Muscle cramps
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Brownish urine
- Abrupt weight gain or loss
- Bleeding or bruising easily
- Blood in the stool
- Itching
- Vomiting
- Veins that are spider web-like in appearance
- Fever
- Red palms
How is liver cirrhosis treated?
At this time, there is no way to reverse liver damage; however, the liver can still function with as much as two-thirds of the organ removed or destroyed. Listed below are some of the treatment options our Utah Gastroenterology team might recommend to enhance liver function:
- Avoiding certain medications (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
- Vaccination for hepatitis A and B
- Undergo a liver transplant
- Targeting the specific issues surrounding your cirrhosis
- Antiviral medications for hepatitis B and C
- Prevention of further liver damage
What are the complications of liver cirrhosis?
The liver serves a number of important functions to maintain your health, and any amount of injury or damage done to the organ can significantly interfere with its ability to perform those functions. Possible complications related to cirrhosis of the liver include:
- Hepatic encephalopathy (the aggregation of toxins in the blood leading to brain damage)
- Liver cancer
- Bacterial peritonitis (inflammation of the abdomen wall)
- Hypersplenism (overactive splenic function)
Get personalized care for liver health
Liver cirrhosis can have a serious and lasting impact on your digestion and overall health. At Utah Gastroenterology, our providers specialize in treatments for cirrhosis and a wide range of other GI disorders so that our patients can enjoy the benefits of a healthy system. To find treatment for liver cirrhosis in Utah, request a consultation with one of our GI providers without delay.
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