Cirrhosis of Liver

 Cirrhosis of LiverCirrhosis of Liver

Cirrhosis of Liver


 

 

Terms You Should Know : 

  • Alkaline phosphatase : An enzyme which is produced in the liver

  • Ascites : Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. 

  • Bilirubin : A bile pigment formed as a breakdown product of old red blood cells. 

  • Cholestasis : Blockage of bile flow.

  • Cirrhosis : A chronic disease of liver. 

  • Encephalopathy : Alteration in sleep patterns and mental status, ranging from forgetfulness and mild confusion to coma; may be caused by circulating gut-derived brain-toxic proteins not cleared by a dysfunctional liver. 

  • Fibrosis : The formation of fibrous tissue, or scarring. 

  • Hepatitis : Inflammation of the liver; generally considered acute if duration is less than six months, chronic if greater than six months. 

  • Hemochromatosis : Toxic accumulation of iron in organs leading to dysfunction, including cirrhosis; may be genetic ( inherited increase in gut iron absorption) or a result of massive blood transfusions. 

  • Hepatocellular necrosis : Localised tissue death of hepatic cells. 

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) : A primary liver tumour more common in patients with cirrhosis. 

  • Hepatocytes : Liver cells. 

  • Icterus : See jaundice 

  • Jaundice : Increased levels of bilirubin with deposition of bile pigment in the skin, mucous membrances, and sclerae ( whites of eyes), resulting in a yellow appearance of the patient; also called icterus. 

  • Portal hypertension : Abnormal increase in portal blood pressure, usually due to obstruction of, or increased resistance to, portal blood flow.

  • Prothrombin time ( PT) : Laboratory test that measures the clotting of blood in seconds; abnormally increased PT signifies bleeding risk due to deficient synthesis of clotting proteins. 

  • Pruritus : Itching. 

  • Spider angiomas : Red capillary tufts in the skin that blanch on pressure often found in patients with cirrhosis. 

  • Varices : Dilated veins; lower oesophageal varices form as collaterals from portal hypertension and can rupture, leading to massive bleeding. 

  • Wilson's Disease : Inherited metabolic disorder in which copper accumulates in the liver and in the central nervous system, causing Hepatitis, cirrhosis, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. 

The liver has an amazing capacity for regeneration - it can heal itself by replacing or repairing injured cells. However, in cirrhosis, the healing process is altered. In response to chronic injury liver cells increse in size and number leading to the formation of excess scar tissue that interfere with the liver's ability to function. Although groups of cells may continue to regenerate, the pattern of regeneration isn't normal . As scar tissue replaces normal tissue, blood flow through the liver is affected, making it increasingly difficult for the liver to carry out functions that are essential for life and health. The loss of normal liver tissue slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and toxins by the liver. Also slowed is production of proteins and other substances made by the liver. Cirrhosis is more common in men, as men drink more heavily than women. 

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