Liver Cirrhosis-signs and management

Liver is the most significant organ as it detoxifies biological waste and has regenerating capacity.
The weight of the liver is 1.5 kgs. Even though, 1/2 of that weight of the liver is enough to carry out the bodily functions, the nature (God) has provided more amount of liver, depending upon its importance in the body. It has to withstand many brunts that are fall on it.

Functions of the liver:

1. Purification of the blood and storing.

2. Manufacture the bile juice.

3. Cholesterol levels management.

4. Storage of sugar, in the form of glucose and releasing it into the blood stream, for providing energy purposes.

5. Synthesizing important proteins like albumin and anticoagulants (chemicals making clotting of the blood in case of bleeding).

6. Detoxifying the drugs and chemicals that are harmful to the body.

7. Storing of iron, copper, vitamin-A, D and other B-vitamins.

8. Recycling of red blood corpuscles, etc.

Important diseases that affect liver:

1. Cirrhosis of the liver.
2. Viral hepatitis.
3. Hepatic coma (liver failure).
4. Amoebic liver abscess.
5. Carcinoma of the liver (cancer).
6. Jaundice.

1. Cirrhosis of liver:

It is chronic liver disease.The liver parenchymal cells are affected and there is formation of fatty liver leading to fibrosis and then nodular degeneration occurs. Portal cirrhosis may occur since child hood as a hereditary disease.

In India, alcohol is the main causative factor in many liver diseases, as many people don’t take the balanced diet, containing proteins etc. Some times the food is contaminated with fungal alkaloids and also heart diseases.

Signs and symptoms of Cirrhosis:

-Loss of appetite, nausea , vomiting and gas formation.

- Gradually distention f the abdomen and also swelling (edema) over the legs appears.

-Weakness in the body and decrease in the weight of the body occurs.

-Increase in the size of the breasts in the men occurs (gynaecomastia).

-Presence of blood in the stools and also in the vomiting occurs, leading to anemia.

- Weakness in the sexual performance, infertility and also absence of monthly periods in the females occurs, usually in the persons above 35 years of age.

-Spots on the skin appear.

Tests to be done for diagnosis:

1. Liver function tests
2. Blood tests for Hb%, TLC and differential count ,etc.
3. Portal venography
4. Liver scannig: Ultrasound,
5.Plasma protein levels estimation and ascetic fluid testing,
6. Liver biopsy,
7.Prothrombin time is prolonged, and some other tests depending upon conditions have to be under taken.

Management of Cirrhosis:

1. Sufficient rest to the patient is essential.
2. Less amount of salt is taken.
3. Highly nutritious diet is advised.
4. Treat anemia
5. Alcohol should not be under any circumstances.
6. Depending upon other conditions (diseases), necessary line of treatments might be given.

Liver is a precious and patient organ. Take proper care.