Liver Cirrhosis in Kansas City, MO
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Find a ProviderWhat is liver cirrhosis?
The liver is an organ that conducts a number of critical jobs in the body, like metabolizing fat and filtering harmful toxins from the blood. Liver cirrhosis, additionally called hepatic cirrhosis, describes the condition that occurs when the liver is inflamed and scarred from issues such as alcoholism and late-stage liver disease. As further scar tissue develops, liver function continually decreases. The different grades of severity surrounding liver cirrhosis are classified into four individual stages:
Stage 1: There is some scarring of liver tissue but few symptoms and no complications.
Stage 2: Further symptoms start to present, including swollen and enlarged veins and high blood pressure involving the portal vein in the liver (referred to as portal hypertension).
Stage 3: Symptoms in this stage involve advanced scarring of the liver and swelling in the abdomen, accompanied by serious complications and the potential for liver failure.
Stage 4: At this stage, the condition can lead to death without a liver transplant.
At Digestive Health Specialists, our GI providers can diagnose, address, and help patients manage liver problems. To find care for liver cirrhosis in Kansas City, MO, please request a consultation with a member of our team today.
What are the causes of liver cirrhosis?
There are a number of factors that can cause liver damage, which could result in cirrhosis. These can involve the following:
- Viral liver infections (hepatitis B & C)
- Liver disease caused by autoimmune hepatitis
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Obesity
- Infection
- Iron accumulation in the body
- Genetic gastrointestinal conditions
- Cystic fibrosis
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Certain medications
- Abnormal formation of bile ducts
- Bile duct damage
- Wilson’s disease
- Chronic alcoholism
- Sugar metabolism disorders
If you have liver problems and need help, please reach out to our gastroenterologists at Digestive Health Specialists. Our knowledge and experience can guide you to effective, reliable care for a better quality of life.
What are common symptoms of liver cirrhosis?
The first stages of liver cirrhosis may not present with any symptoms but the initial signs that you may experience could include lethargy, weakness, and appetite loss. When cirrhosis progresses, some of the symptoms can include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes/skin)
- Vomiting
- Brownish urine
- Itching
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Red palms
- Bleeding or bruising easily
- Swelling in the legs
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Fever
- Unexpected weight loss or gain
- Spiderweb-like veins
- Blood in the stool
How is liver cirrhosis treated?
Damage and scarring to the liver generally cannot be reversed, but the liver can still function even if two-thirds of it has been removed or destroyed. Listed below are a number of the treatment methods the Digestive Health Specialists team may recommend to enhance the liver's capacity to function:
- Immunization for hepatitis A and B
- Prevention of further damage to the liver
- Avoiding certain medications (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
- Antiviral medications for hepatitis B and C
- Managing the individual issues surrounding your cirrhosis
- Liver transplant procedure
What are the complications of liver cirrhosis?
The liver has a vital job in the body, and any injury or damage inflicted upon the liver will negatively affect its ability to function normally. Potential health complications of cirrhosis of the liver involve:
- Hepatic encephalopathy (an aggregation of toxins in the bloodstream leading to brain damage)
- Cancer of the liver
- Bacterial peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal wall)
- Hypersplenism (an overactive spleen)
Get personalized treatment for liver health
Cirrhosis of the liver can have a major impact on your overall health and well-being. At Digestive Health Specialists, we want to help you discover a healthier life where additional damage to the liver is prevented. To get help for liver cirrhosis in Kansas City, MO, request a consultation with one of our gastroenterology providers without delay.
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