Liver Health Manners:
What You Need to Know about Cirrhosis
By Dominique Carson
The liver is the body's detoxifier! This organ is responsible for filtering blood and removing toxins from the body; it produces proteins and bile that help break down fats in the small intestine and helps metabolize our system.
When we hear the term Cirrhosis, many people quickly associate it with the long-term effects of alcoholism. But that isn't always the case!
Cirrhosis is a liver condition that involves the scarring of the liver tissue, depriving the liver of healthy cells, which impairs the ability of the liver to function correctly. Yes, excessive drinking can lead to liver cirrhosis, but this misunderstood condition is not only associated with alcohol consumption; our nutrition can cause it.
Developed over months and years, Cirrhosis disorders not affiliated with alcohol use are deemed as NAFLD (Non- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) caused by obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, Hepatitis B and C, autoimmune liver disease, medications affecting the liver, or a bile duct disorders. Autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) also contribute to the cirrhosis of the liver and fibrosis because the immune system attacks liver cells or bile ducts, destroying healthy liver tissues.
It is a clear indication that anyone can be affected by cirrhosis of the liver. Those who have genetic disorders such as Wilson's disease - a rare inherited condition that causes copper levels to build up in several organs, especially the liver, brain and eyes- can also lead to cirrhosis of the liver if it's not managed.
Prevention:
To prevent Cirrhosis of the liver, individuals should strive to keep their weight under control, taking vaccinations or anti-viral treatments for Hepatitis B and C, and visiting their primary doctor about liver health, especially if it's hereditary or diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, to prevent liver damage. However, if you're diagnosed with the condition, you must be mindful of lifestyle choices, medication, and liver transplantation to have a suitable outcome.
Overall, Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition that everyone should know about because other factors contribute to the disease other than alcohol. We must dispel the myth that Cirrhosis of the liver is only for alcohol abusers.
To learn more about Cirrhosis, visit www.mayoclinic.org
According to Mayo Clinic, Cirrhosis often has no symptoms until the
liver damage is severe. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
• Fatigue.
• Easily bleeding or bruising.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea.
• Swelling in the legs, feet or ankles, called edema.
• Weight loss.
• Itchy skin.
• Yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes, jaundice.
• Fluid accumulation in the abdomen, called ascites.
• Spider-like blood vessels on the skin.
• Redness in the palms of the hands.
• Pale fingernails, especially the thumb and index finger.
• Clubbing of the fingers, in which the fingertips
spread out and become rounder than usual.
• For women, absence of or loss of periods not related to menopause.
• For men, loss of sex drive, testicular shrinkage or breast enlargement, known as gynecomastia.
• Confusion, drowsiness or slurred speech.
Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have any of the symptoms listed above.