Liver Cirrhosis Symptoms Causes

The proper functioning of our body lies in the hands of liver. It is the largest organ in the body. It is located on the right side of the abdomen under the diaphragm. It produces bile, cholesterol, blood albumin that is vital to the removal of tissue wastes, prothrombin that is essential for the clotting of the blood and various other enzymes.

The liver inactivates many hormones that are not required by the body. It helps in building tissues and breaks proteins into sugar and fat for energy requirements. It removes and neutralizes poison from the blood. Any damage in this organ interferes with the functioning of all the body organs, as it is the most needed organ of the body. Cirrhosis of liver refers to all forms of liver disease. It is one of the serious hepatic diseases. In this disease the liver contracts in size and becomes hard and leathery. This contraction in size is due to the loss of cells that exceeds cell replacement. The continuous damage of liver affects its structure and functions that lead to hepatic failure and ultimately death. It is the 12th leading cause of death that’s kills around 26,000 people every year.

Symptoms

In the early stages of liver damage people show no symptoms but as the damage increases following symptoms can be seen in the person suffering from the cirrhosis of liver:
1. Frequent attacks of gas and indigestion
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Abdominal pain
4. Loss of weight
5. Exhaustion
6. Loss of appetite
7. Low grade fewer
8. Foul breath
9. Bleeding of stomach
10. Intense itching
11. Reddish hair like markings appears on the face, neck, arms and trunk
12. Bloated and swollen abdomen
13. Fatigue
14. Jaundice

Causes

The various causes responsible for the cirrhosis of liver are:

· Excessive use of alcohol
· Excessive intake of highly seasoned food
· Intake of quinine for longer time
· High doze or overdose of paracetamol
· Chronic viral hepatitis- B and C hepatitis infect and damage the liver
· Bile duct blockage
· Autoimmune hepatitis
· Various inherited disease like cystic fibrosis, alpha –1 antitrypsin deficiency can also cause cirrhosis
· Poor nutrition
· Highly toxic condition of the system