Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrotic scar tissue as well as regenerative nodules , leading to progressive loss of liver function. The fibrosis and nodule formation causes distortion of the normal liver architecture which interferes with blood flow through the liver. Cirrhosis is most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C , and was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States in 2000, killing about 26,000 people each year. The diseases that lead to cirrhosis do so because they injure and kill liver cells, and the inflammation and repair that is associated with the dying liver cells causes scar tissue to form. There are many causes of cirrhosis; they include chemicals (such as alcohol, fat, and certain medications), viruses , toxic metals (such as iron and copper that accumulate in the liver as a result of genetic diseases), and autoimmune liver disease in which the body's immune system attacks the liver.

Cirrhosis is a chronic (ongoing, long-term) disease of the liver. But as liver function deteriorates, you may experience fatigue, nausea, unintended weight loss, and swelling in your legs and abdomen. It removes or neutralizes poisons from the blood, produces immune agents to control infection, and removes germs and bacteria from the blood. In time, jaundice a yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes and intense itching can develop. But other factors including damaged bile ducts, immune system problems and prolonged exposure to certain environmental toxins can cause liver scarring, too. Specific treatment for cirrhosis depends on the underlying cause, but anyone with cirrhosis must avoid alcohol and other substances that harm the liver. When damage is so severe that liver function is seriously impaired, a liver transplant may be the only option.

Causes of Cirrhosis

The common Causes of Cirrhosis :

Using alcohol in excess is the most common cause of cirrhosis in the United States.
Type B and Type C hepatitis, and perhaps other viruses, can infect and damage the liver over a prolonged time and eventually cause cirrhosis .
Prolonged exposure to certain chemicals or drugs can scar the liver.
This chronic inflammation occurs when the body's protective antibodies fail to recognize the liver as its own tissue. The antibodies injure the liver cells as though they were a foreign protein or bacteria.

Symptoms of Cirrhosis

Some Symptoms of Cirrhosis :

Fever.
Loss of appetite.
Itchy skin.
Yellowing of skin or the whites of eyes (jaundice).
Confusion, disorientation, personality changes.
Weight loss or sudden weight gain.
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue

Treatment of Cirrhosis

Having a liver transplant if your liver damage becomes severe, provided you are a suitable candidate for liver transplantation and a liver is available.
Infections are treated with antibiotics.
Avoiding substances that may further damage the liver, especially alcohol.
Bleeding varices are treated by upper endoscopy with banding or sclerosis.
If cirrhosis progresses and becomes life-threatening, a liver transplant should be considered.
Coagulopathy may be treated with blood products or vitamin K.
Encephalopathy is treated with the medication lactulose; sometimes antibiotics are used and patients should avoid a diet high in protein.
Ascites (excess abdominal fluid) is treated with diuretics, fluid and salt restriction, and removal of fluid (paracentesis).

Bowel & Stomach Diseases

Appendicitis
Barett's Oesophagus
Coeliac Disease
Crohn's Disease

Heart Problems

Angina
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation

Infectious Diseases

Bacterial Vaginosis
Bird Flu
Boils
Cellulitis
Chicken Pox
Cystitis

Skin Disorders

Acne
Alopecia Areata
Baldness

Women Diseases

Abnormal Periods
Atropic Vaginitis
Breast Cancer
Breast Pain
Cervical Cancer

Liver & Kidney Diseases

Cholecystitis
Cirrhosis
Fatty Liver Disease
Kidney Cancer
Liver Cancer

Mental Health

Anorexia Nervosa
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bulimia Nervosa
Dementia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia

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