Cirrhosis of the Liver Information and Treatment

Cirrhosis is a complication of many liver diseases that is characterized by abnormal structure and function of the liver. Cirrhosis is the eleventh superior cause of death by disease in the United States. Almost one-half of these are alcohol related. About 25,000 people die from cirrhosis each year. There also is a great toll in terms of human suffering, hospital costs, and the loss of work by people with cirrhosis. Common symptoms of cirrhosis is feel tired or weak , lose your appetite , feel sick to your stomach and lose weight.

There are many causes of cirrhosis including alcohol abuse ,chronic viral hepatitis , autoimmune hepatitis, which is damage of liver cells by the body’s immune system , nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which is fat deposits and inflammation in the liver. some drugs, toxins, and infections also leading causes of cirrhosis. Treatment of cirrhosis is aimed to stop the development of scar tissue in the liver and prevent complications. Treatment for hepatitis related cirrhosis includes medications used to treat the dissimilar form of hepatitis, such as interferon for viral hepatitis and corticosteroids for autoimmune hepatitis.

Medications may be given to help reduced mental functioning. Antibiotics will be prescribed for infections, and various medications can help with itching. Cortisone medicine helps treat autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis. Laxatives (usually a syrupy solution called lactulose) to prevent constipation and to reduce the chances of the poisonous substances from the bowel bypassing the liver and reaching the brain, causing drowsiness, confusion and coma (hepatic encephalopathy). Liver transplantation may be considered in patients with end-stage cirrhosis.

Liver transplantation has progressed to the stage where it can now be regarded as standard treatment for selected patients. About 80 to 90 percent of patients survive liver transplantation. Perhaps 90 percent of cirrhosis is caused by excessive alcohol consumption or hepatitis viruses. So, alcohol can be avoided. Avoid adding salt to meals. Salt may be used in little amounts in cooking. Stay away from illegal drugs, which can increase your chances of getting hepatitis B or hepatitis C. There are many home remedies for cirrhosis of the liver useful this condition such as, trailing eclipta, picrorhiza, black seeds of papaya and juice of carrots etc.