SCRIPT NUMBER 120
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER - 2
(ONE SPEAKER)
PROGRAM NAME: HEALTH NUGGETS
PROGRAM TITLE: CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER - 2
PROGRAM NUMBER: 120
SUBJECT: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT, PREVENTION OF
CIRRHOSIS
KEY WORDS: HEPATITIS B, HEPATITIS C, CYTSIC FIBROSIS,
TRANSPLANT, CONDOM
DATE OF SCRIPT: July 12, 2013
AUTHOR: RICHARD YUKL, MD, FACS
Ludek is a 38-year-old man currently living in the Czech Republic. He found a
bottle of vodka in a shoebox hidden in his mother’s closet when he was age 12.
He sipped some and liked its taste. He made more and more frequent visits to
his mother’s closet over several years, and then began buying alcoholic
beverages with his own money, hiding his developing addiction from his parents.
By age 18, Ludek was drinking three or more alcoholic beverages every day. He
began noticing physical changes a few years ago, and the changes worried him.
At first, his skin became itchy, and some small yellowish bumps formed on his
eyelids. He gradually lost his appetite and began losing weight. His most recent
concern was that the whites of his eyes began to turn yellow. He finally consulted
a doctor, who identified that Ludek has developed cirrhosis of the liver.
Today, I want to talk about cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is an irreversible scarring of the
liver that is most often caused by drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over
many years. It is the third leading cause of death in adults between the ages of
45 and 65.
The liver is a large organ located in the upper part of our belly. It fits under our
right lower ribs and performs essential functions such as making chemicals to
destroy poisons and harmful substances entering our body. The liver also purifies
our blood, and processes the nutrients from our diet that allow our bodies to
function normally – things such as the proteins we eat.
The specific cause of the scarring found in cirrhosis is chronic irritation of the
liver. If the irritation is mild, the liver can repair itself and return to normal
function, but as the irritation continues, more and more scar tissue forms, finally
making it impossible for the liver to ever function normally again.
Several conditions can irritate our liver severely enough to cause scarring.
Infection by viruses such as Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C can cause the damage.
Some genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis can destroy the liver. Gallstones
can obstruct the ducts that carry bile from the liver into the bowel and destroy the
liver. By far, however, the most common cause of cirrhosis is the excessive
drinking of alcohol over a number of years.
If a person is developing cirrhosis, they may not develop symptoms until liver
damage is already severe. When symptoms do appear, the person may begin to
feel extreme tiredness. Often, they will develop easy bruising and bleeding, and a
loss of appetite with nausea and weight loss. Their body will have trouble fighting
infections, so they may develop infections frequently. The most distressing
symptom will be the accumulation of fluid in their legs and their belly. Scar tissue
makes it difficult for blood to flow freely through the liver, and the increased
pressure that is required can cause the fluid portion of the blood to leak out of the
vessels, collect in the legs and belly, and make the belly look pregnant.
Untreated, the liver damage of cirrhosis will gradually worsen, finally causing
health problems that are life threatening. As an example, the high blood vessel
pressure that a scarred liver generates can burst blood vessels in the stomach
and esophagus, resulting in life threatening bleeding.
If you suffer mild cirrhosis, as does Ludek, treatment is aimed at minimizing the
liver damage that has already occurred. You must stop drinking alcohol
immediately. That is not an easy task, and your doctor may recommend an
effective treatment program located in your local area. The fluid that is collecting
in your legs and belly, if not severe, can be managed with a low-salt diet and with
water pills that help to eliminate fluids. Large amounts of fluid collected within
your belly may require a doctor to drain it using a needle placed through your
belly wall. A surgeon may also be able to place a tube into blood vessels being
narrowed by a scarred liver, widening them to allow better blood flow through the
narrowing. These extreme treatments are all helpful, but only if you can
successfully stop drinking alcohol.
You want to avoid progression of cirrhosis to an advanced stage at all costs.
Once cirrhosis is severe, your liver will not be able to recover. Because the liver
will no longer be able to clear poisons and harmful substances from your blood,
you will begin having difficulty thinking clearly. You will become ever more
confused, finally developing a coma from which you cannot recover.
Let us consider how you can prevent developing cirrhosis if you are presently
healthy but at risk of developing the disease. Do not drink alcohol. If you feel you
must drink, drink no more than one alcoholic beverage a day. Also, limit the
amount of fatty and fried foods you eat, as excess fat is stored in your liver,
causing damage. Instead, eat a plant-based diet containing lots of raw fruits and
vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain the vitamins and minerals that your
body needs.
Also, limit your risk of a virus infection of your liver. Your liver can become
infected with viruses such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C when you share dirty
needles to inject street drugs, and by having sex with someone who is infected. If
you use street drugs, at least use a clean needle that you have purchased
yourself. If you cannot abstain from having casual sex, protect yourself by using
a condom. These wise lifestyle choices will go a long way in protecting you
against this deadly condition.
Health Nuggets is written by Dr. Richard Yukl, a medical doctor working in the
United States. The medical views expressed in this program are his and may
differ for your particular health needs. If you need medical advice, please consult
a medical professional in your area. These wise lifestyle choices will go a long
way in protecting you against this deadly condition.