Transcript Hepatocirrhosis - Jin Tripp Health Services

Hepatocirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis
Hepatocirrhosis
• Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease
characterized by replacement of liver tissue by
fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules
(lumps that occur as a result of a process in which
damaged tissue is regenerated), leading to loss of
liver function.
• Cirrhosis is a condition that results from
permanent damage or scarring of the liver. This
leads to a blockage of blood flow through the
liver and prevents normal metabolic and
regulatory processes.
Hepatocirrhosis
• Early symptoms:
• People in the early stages of cirrhosis have few
symptoms. Some symptoms an individual may
notice include:
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• weight loss
• fatigue
• weakness
• exhaustion
Hepatocirrhosis
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Symptoms in the later stages:
Jaundice occurs
Swelling of the liver and the spleen.
Varices
Swelling or fluid buildup of the legs (edema)
and in the abdomen (ascites)
• Coma
Hepatocirrhosis
Diagnosis:
• identifiable symptoms
• physical examination
• CT scan
• ultrasound
• liver biopsy
Hepatocirrhosis
• Treatment:
• Treatments of cirrhosis are aimed at stopping or delaying
the disease progress, minimizing liver cell damage and
reducing complications.
• When cirrhosis is caused by alcohol, the patient must stop
drinking to halt the progression of the disease. Cirrhosis
caused by viral hepatitis may be treated with antiviral drugs
to reduce liver cell injury. Medications can be given to
control the symptoms of cirrhosis. For example, drugs
called "diuretics" are used to remove excess fluid and to
prevent edema and ascites from recurring. Combined diet
and drug therapy can improve altered mental function. For
instance, decreasing dietary protein results in less toxin
formation in the digestive tract.