Liver Cirrhosis in Northwest Arkansas
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Find a ProviderWhat is liver cirrhosis?
The liver is an organ that handles a multitude of vital tasks for the body, including metabolizing fat and filtering the blood of harmful toxins. Liver cirrhosis, additionally referred to as hepatic cirrhosis, is a disease that arises when the liver becomes inflamed and scarred from issues like alcoholism and late-stage liver disease. As more and more scar tissue develops, the ability of the liver to function properly continues to decrease. The different levels of severity surrounding liver cirrhosis are broken down into four distinct stages.
Stage 1: Some scarring of liver tissue but there are not a lot of symptoms and no complications.
Stage 2: More symptoms begin to occur, including enlarged and swollen veins and high blood pressure in the portal vein in the liver (portal hypertension).
Stage 3: Symptoms involve advanced scarring of the liver and swelling in the abdomen, accompanied by serious complications and possibly liver failure.
Stage 4: At this stage, the condition can be fatal without a liver transplant.
At GI Alliance of Arkansas, our gastroenterology providers can diagnose, treat, and help patients manage liver problems. To get help for liver cirrhosis in Arkansas, please request an appointment with a member of our team today.
What causes liver cirrhosis?
There are many behaviors and risks that may lead to liver damage. These factors can include the following:
- Viral liver infections (hepatitis B & C)
- Genetic GI disorders
- Iron buildup in the body
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Bile duct damage
- Cystic fibrosis
- Obesity
- Abnormal formation of bile ducts
- Infection
- Certain medications
- Chronic alcoholism
- Wilson's disease
- Liver disease caused by autoimmune hepatitis
- Sugar metabolism disorders
Should you experience concerns with your liver and need help, reach out to the gastroenterologists at GI Alliance of Arkansas. Our skill and expertise can lead you toward the right options for reliable care.
What are common signs and symptoms of liver cirrhosis?
The first stages of liver cirrhosis don't present with obvious symptoms. However, some of the first indicators that you may experience could include exhaustion, physical weakness, and appetite loss. As the condition continues to advance, the symptoms could include:
- Swollen legs
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Jaundice
- Nausea or queasiness
- Blood in the stool
- Spider web-like veins
- Unexpected weight loss or gain
- Red palms
- Itching
- Fever
- Muscle cramps
- Bruise or bleed easily
- Vomiting
- Brown-colored urine
How is liver cirrhosis treated?
Damage to the liver cannot be undone, but the organ may still function as long as at least one-third of it is still present and healthy. Here are some of the treatment approaches our GI Alliance of Arkansas team might recommend to boost liver function:
- Immunization for hepatitis A and B
- Prevention of additional liver damage
- Liver transplant
- Managing the specific issues surrounding your condition
- Antiviral medications for hepatitis B and C
- Avoiding certain medications (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
What are the complications of liver cirrhosis?
The liver is responsible for an extremely crucial function in the body, and any scarring or damage inflicted on it will hinder its ability to work normally. Some of the possible health complications of cirrhosis of the liver involve:
- Hepatic encephalopathy (an aggregation of toxins in the blood causing brain damage)
- Cancer of the liver
- Bacterial peritonitis (an inflamed abdominal wall)
- Hypersplenism (an overactive spleen)
Specialized care for liver health
Liver cirrhosis can be very damaging to your body's natural processes and your health in general. At GI Alliance of Arkansas, we wish to help you enjoy a life where further liver damage can be averted. To receive treatment for liver cirrhosis in Arkansas, request a consultation with one of our gastroenterology providers today.
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