Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic Liver Disease - gradual destruction of liver tissue over time, encompassing several liver diseases

• Fibrosis of the liver
• Cirrhosis of the liver

Liver Fibrosis

Fibrosis is the growth of scar tissue that can occur in almost any organ due to infection, inflammation or injury. Fibrosis in the liver can inhibit the organ's proper functioning and usually results in cirrhosis.

Liver Cirrhosis

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Cirrhosis is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States,

Cirrhosis occurs from chronic damage to the liver caused by scar tissue slowly replacing normal functioning liver tissue, progressively diminishing blood flow through the liver, making the liver work progressively worse.

Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

While mild cirrhosis may not exhibit any symptoms at all and different individuals experience symptoms differently, general symptoms of cirrhosis are:

• Abnormal nerve function
• Build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity
• Bloating
• Red poop
• Unhealthy Bowel Movements
• Breast enlargements in men
• Shrinking of testes
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Curling of fingers (Dupuytren's contracture of the palms)
• Gallstones
• Kidney failure
• Hair loss
• Itching
• Painful Bowel Movements
• Jaundice
• Liver encephalopathy
• Muscle loss
• Poor appetite and weakness
• Weight loss
• Portal hypertension
• Redness of palms
• Salivary gland enlargement in cheeks
• Spider and varicose veins

Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

• Use of certain drugs
• High blood tyrosine levels at birth
• Chemical exposure
• Autoimmune diseases
• Obstruction of outflow of blood from the liver (i.e., Budd-Chiari syndrome)
• Bile duct obstruction
• Hepatitis
• Heart and blood vessel disturbances
• Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency
• Glycogen storage disease
• Diabetes
• High blood glucose levels
• Malnutrition
• Hereditary accumulation of too much copper (Wilson's Disease)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Cirrhosis

Tests include

• Physical exam
• Laboratory tests
• Liver function tests
• Liver biopsy
• X-rays of the bile ducts

Treatment for cirrhosis is difficult and damage sustained to the liver is irreversible. However, with proper nutrition, avoidance of alcohol, vitamin supplementation, and management of cirrhosis complications, further liver damage can often be delayed or stopped. In severe cases of cirrhosis, liver transplantation may be considered.