Overview
Liver Cirrhosis is a chronic, degenerative disease characterized by the replacement of normal tissue with diffuse fibrosis and it is an irreversible liver damage. As a complication, there is increased pressure in the portal vein which leads to edema.Signs and Symptoms
Yellowish discolouration of the skin and eyes, Skin itchiness (pruritus), Swelling of legs (leg edema), Ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), Palmar erythema, Leuconychia, Spider naevi, Gynaecomastia, Loss of body hair, Hepatomegaly, Splenomegaly, Testicular atrophyCommon Causes
Chronic alcohol abuse, Chronic viral hepatitis, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Autoimmune liver disease, Primary sclerosing cholangitis, Cystic fibrosis, Wilson disease, Alpha-antitrypsin deficiency, Hemochromatosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, Cryptogenic, Drugs such as amiodarone and methotrexateRisk Factors
Alcohol abuse, Obesity, Viral hepatitis infection such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, Genetic disorders, Autoimmune disordersInvestigation Techniques
Full blood count, Liver function test, Serum electrolytes, Serum creatinine, Serum alpha-fetoprotein, Ultrasound of liver, CT scan, MRI scan, Endoscopy, Liver biopsyTreatment and Prevention
Sodium and fluid restriction, Diuretic therapy, Paracentesis
