Chronic Liver Failure: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Chronic liver disease is a disease process of the liver that involves the progressive destruction and regeneration of the liver parenchyma, leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis." Chronic liver disease" refers to a liver disease that lasts longer than six months. Inflammation (chronic hepatitis), liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer are among the diseases that affect the liver. It is not necessary to experience the complete spectrum.

What is Chronic Liver Disease?

When scar tissue in the liver replaces good tissue, the chronic liver disease develops. In the United States, chronic liver disease is the 12th largest cause of mortality. Chronic liver disease is a liver illness that involves the breakdown and regeneration of the liver parenchyma over time, leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Among the disorders that affect the liver include inflammation (chronic hepatitis), liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is not required to go over the entire spectrum.

Chronic liver disease arises when scar tissue in the liver replaces healthy tissue. Chronic disease is that the 12th leading explanation for death within us.

Chronic liver disease impairs the liver's ability to function properly, resulting in negative consequences throughout the body. Jaundice elevated blood pressure, and a bloated abdomen are just a few of the side effects. If the liver illness is severe, even more, severe symptoms might occur; the liver can be seriously damaged and stop operating, resulting in a large number of toxins in the blood. Chronic liver illness can lead to problems such as liver cancer, which can lead to death.

Heavy alcohol use and the stages of chronic liver disease

Although the liver disease can occur for a variety of reasons, chronic liver disease is most commonly caused by alcoholism. Chronic liver disease normally develops after at least 8 years of frequent drinking, however, the exact timetable can vary. Because liver illness has few symptoms at first, the doctor must diagnose the patient's liver condition using a blood test or a liver biopsy.

chronic liver treatment

The severity of the liver illness can be determined by the doctor when diagnosing the patient. There are four phases of alcohol-related liver disease, each with its own set of symptoms:

Initial stages/mild fibrosis

Alcoholic hepatitis/moderate inflammation Cirrhosis End-stage liver disease Initial stages/mild fibrosis includes minor fibrosis of the liver disease caused by scarring of the liver. Although alcohol is a common cause, liver disease can also be caused by other medical disorders. As a result, the liver malfunctions, causing discomfort to the individual.

Alcoholic Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver occurs in the second stage, referred to as "alcoholic hepatitis." The liver cells are destroyed as a result of the excessive amounts of alcohol consumed over time. Approximately 35% of heavy drinkers go through this stage.

  • Jaundice
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain
  • Liver scarring/fibrosis

Cirrhosis

It is a scarring disorder of the liver that can get worse with time. This syndrome can be caused by type 2 diabetes and is more common in men, those over 50, and alcoholics. Cirrhosis affects 200,000 people in the United States each year. Cirrhosis affects 10% to 20% of heavy drinkers throughout their lives.

The scarring of the liver is a symptom of cirrhosis. As a result, the liver is unable to function effectively. In the liver, fibrosis begins to occur. Another cirrhosis complication is portal hypertension, which is caused by scar tissue restricting the blood flow in the liver, resulting in elevated blood pressure in the portal vein.

Cirrhosis, or end-stage liver disease

It can be fatal if left untreated, and it can raise the risk of infection from other potentially fatal illnesses. Cirrhosis, in particular, can result in liver failure and malignancy. Liver cancer is caused by "the spread of abnormal cells in the liver," whereas liver failure refers to the inability of the liver to perform its tasks. Fatigue, diarrhea, disorientation, excessive bleeding, and death may occur in those who are affected. If you or someone you know is suffering from liver failure, seek medical help right once.

Signs and symptoms of Chronic Liver Disease

  • Nail clubbing
  • Palmar erythema
  • Spider nevi (angiomata)
  • Gynaecomastia
  • Feminising hair distribution
  • Testicular atrophy
  • Small irregular shrunken liver
  • Anaemia
  • Caput medusae

The following are some of the conditions that are linked to chronic liver disease:

Viral causes

  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C

Acute hepatitis is caused by the cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), and yellow fever viruses.

Toxic and drug

  • Alcoholic Liver disease
  • Induced liver illness from methotrexate, amiodarone, nitrofurantoin, and other medicines is uncommon.

Acetaminophen (acetaminophen) causes acute liver damage.

  • Primary biliary cholangitis
  • Primary sclerosing cholangitis
  • Autoimmune Hepatitis

Other

  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Haemochromatosis
  • Wilson's disease

Treatment

The treatment for chronic liver disease is determined by the underlying cause. Medications such as corticosteroids, interferon, antivirals, bile acids, and other medicines may be used to treat specific disorders. Diuretics, albumin, vitamin K, blood products, antibiotics, and nutritional therapy are examples of supportive therapy for cirrhosis complications. Surgery or a transplant may be required in some cases. When the liver fails and there is no other option, a transplant is required.

Alcoholism can have a variety of negative health consequences, including damage to the liver and other organs. If you or someone you care about is suffering from chronic liver disease, you must seek treatment as soon as possible. Doctor Anand Khakhar is the best liver surgeon in India. Contact him for liver treatment.

Alternative medicine Some studies appear to suggest herbal remedies are useful, but they are not conclusive. Some support can be found in the orthodox medical use of two of these: N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is that the treatment of choice for acetaminophen overdose; both NAC and milk thistle (Silybum marianum) or its derivative silibinin are utilized in liver poisoning from certain mushrooms, notably Amanita phaeophylla Black cohosh, ma huang, chaparral, comfrey, germander, greater celandine, kava, mistletoe, pennyroyal, skull cap, and valerian are some popular plants that are recognized or thought to be toxic to the liver.