Cirrhosis is a life-threatening condition caused by fatty liver disease, which can be triggered by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Symptoms include organ and blood vessel dysfunction, and treatment involves lifestyle changes and appropriate medical care. Diagnosis can be confirmed with imaging tests and a liver biopsy. Treatment focuses on slowing or stopping the progression of the disease, and may include lifestyle changes and medication to relieve complications.
Cirrhosis is an irreversible and life-threatening condition that is a complication of fatty liver disease characterized by extensive scarring and inflammation of the liver. Triggered by the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fatty liver disease, cirrhosis manifests itself with a gradual worsening of symptoms that threaten the widespread function of organs and blood vessels. Treatment for this progressive condition generally involves lifestyle and dietary changes along with appropriate treatment if complications develop.
More often than not, cirrhosis is a condition society associates with alcoholism, but that’s not always the case. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a relatively benign condition diagnosed in people with impaired liver function, often in individuals whose alcohol consumption is nonexistent or minimal. The condition is characterized by the liver’s inability to metabolize fat which eventually accumulates in the liver. Generally, fat accumulation is a benign occurrence, but in cases where the accumulation becomes excessive, it can cause inflammation and significantly impair organ function. Severe inflammation can eventually cause irreversible scarring that can compromise liver health and ultimately cause organ failure.
As the master station for detoxifying and filtering the blood, the vital role of the liver is compromised as it loses healthy tissue to scarring. The more scarring you experience, the less blood your organ is able to filter properly, which compromises the health of not only your own blood, but the rest of your body as well. Liver failure often requires transplantation if the individual is to survive. Therefore, prompt diagnosis of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis is essential to reduce the chances of premature death.
Cirrhosis can be suspected after physical examination and palpation of the abdominal region. A distended abdomen or enlarged spleen is often a telltale sign of cirrhosis that usually requires further testing to confirm a diagnosis. Imaging tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can be used to evaluate the abdominal region and check for any abnormalities affecting the liver. In most cases, suspicion of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis can be confirmed with a liver biopsy.
Individuals with severe symptoms of fatty liver disease can often experience pronounced fatigue, unintentional weight loss, and abdominal discomfort. If left untreated, the condition can progress to cirrhosis. In addition to the signs of fatty liver, individuals with cirrhosis experience a gradual onset of more severe symptoms that can include cognitive impairment, skin discoloration, and abnormal bleeding, such as characterized by persistent nosebleeds and bloody stools.
Due to the progressive and irreversible nature of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis, treatment is usually focused on stopping or slowing the progression of the disease. Individuals with cirrhosis inevitably develop compromised immunity, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections. Additionally, they may demonstrate pronounced weight loss due to the body’s inability to absorb nutrients.
Lifestyle and dietary changes are often recommended to relieve discomfort and some symptoms. Individuals can be encouraged to stop drinking alcohol and consume a healthy low-fat diet. In the presence of complications, the treatment of fatty liver disease and cirrhosis depends entirely on the nature and severity of the complication. Supplemental vitamin K, antibiotics, and diuretics may be given to relieve secondary problems that result from the presence of fatty liver and cirrhosis, such as impaired blood clotting, infection, and excessive fluid retention.
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