Essay about Liver Cirrhosis

Submitted By marypailevan
Words: 329
Pages: 2

Liver Cirrhosis
Progressing disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue. The scar tissue blocks the path of blood and slows the processing of nutrients, drugs, hormones, and other naturally produced toxins. It slows the production of other proteins and substances made by the liver.
Cause:
Hepatitis C, alcohol abuse, fatty liver are the most common causes
Fatty liver connected with diabetes and obesity
Chronic viral infections,
Blockage of bile duct, can become inflamed, blocked, or scarred (primary biliary cirrhosis)
Repeated times of heart failure with fluid backing up in the liver
Cystic fibrosis (mucus buildup because there’s problem with the glands that produce mucus and sweat.
Glycogen storage diseases- body is unable to process glycogen, which is later converted to energy
Wilson’s disease- abnormal storage of copper in liver
Risk Factors:
People who share needles
People who are exposed to infected blood
4 Stages:
Stage 1- Abnormal tissue growth and inflammation
Stage 2- Hardening of fibrous liver tissue (type of connective tissue, slightly stretchy)
Stage 3- Permanent scarring of liver tissue occurs
Stage 4- Severe impairment of liver function
Signs/Symptoms:
Jaundice
Fatigue
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Itching
Easy bruising from decreased production of blood clotting factors

Complications:
High blood pressure in level (portal hypertension)
Swelling in legs and abdomen (portal hypertension causes fluid-backup)