CIRRHOSIS By Veronica Gonzalez Cirrhosis is chronic liver
CIRRHOSIS By: Veronica Gonzalez
Cirrhosis is chronic liver damage from a variety of causes leading to scarring and liver failure. Gianbattista Morgagni was the first to identify this peculiar transformation of the liver within his 500 autopsies published in 1761, but Laennec gave Cirrhosis its name in 1826. “FUN FACTS” • • 1. 3 million deaths in 2015 Seventh leading cause of disease-related death in the United States. • Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. • • This is an irreversible disease. Cirrhosis is a Greek word meaning yellowish Some misconceptions made of cirrhosis are: • Only alcoholics get it • • • It is self-inflicted You need a liver transplant If you don’t drink, you’re not at risk.
WHAT IS ONE “FUN FACT” ABOUT CIRRHOSIS? • 1. 3 million deaths in 2015 • Seventh leading cause of disease-related death in the United States. • Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. • This is an irreversible disease. • Cirrhosis is a Greek word meaning yellowish
You can get cirrhosis from drinking too much alcohol for years on end raises your risk, viral hepatitis or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (fat can build up in your liver even if you don’t drink alcohol). Since one of the causes of cirrhosis is viral hepatitis, it is best to get checked just to make sure you don’t have it as well. Cirrhosis is common, it is twice as common in men as in women. It is the seventh most common cause of death in adults between the ages of 25 and 65.
Signs & Symptoms include: • Tired • Itchy Swelling in the lower legs • Yellow skin • • • Easily bruise Fluid build up in the abdomen • Nausea • Vomiting • Loss of appetite • Chronic fatigue If signs and symptoms are persistent, make an appointment with your doctor. These signs and symptoms are on-going.
WHAT IS ONE SIGN OR SYMPTOM? Tired Itchy Swelling in the lower legs Yellow skin Easily bruise Fluid build up in the abdomen Nausea Vomiting Loss of appetite Chronic fatigue
Role of the Lymphatic System A common complication of liver cirrhosis is the development of ascites. Ascites are pathological accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. The lymphatic vascular system plays a critical role is ascite formation, it removes the interstitial fluid from tissues in the body and returns it to the bloodstream. This fluid is called lymph when it enters the lymphatic capillaries. When normal lymphatic function fails, it results in a build-up of interstitial fluid and can lead to the clinical manifestations such as lymphedema and ascites.
Role of the Immune System Innate and adaptive immune dysfunction is a major component of cirrhosis. During progression, acute decompensation is associated with organ failure(s), the so-called acute-on chronic liver failure, and chronic decompensation with progression of liver fibrosis and development of disease specific complications comprise distinct clinical entities with different immunopathology mechanisms. Enhanced bacterial translocation associated with systemic endotoxemia (a toxin in the blood that is present inside a bacterial cell and is released when the cell disintegrates) and systemic bacterial infections have substantial impacts in both clinical situations. In this review the authors provide overview of immune dysfunction and its consequences in cirrhosis.
Treatment Plans Self-care Low sodium diet and AVOID alcohol (People with liver damage tend to retain Sodium) Medications Diuretic, Ammonia reducer, Beta blocker, Synthetic hormones, Antibiotics and Antiviral drug Medical Procedure Rubber band ligation, Theraputic Endoscopy and Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt Surgery Liver transplant (The estimated U. S. average in 2011 per liver transplant is $577, 100. ) Specialists Infectious disease doctor, hepatologist, gastroenterologist, primary care provider (PCP) and Emergency medical doctor There is no cure at the moment for this disease.
- Slides: 9