Cirrhosis of the liver is curable or not? Unfortunately, this disease cannot be completely cured. You can only stop its development and save yourself from complications. Cirrhosis develops over years, and this process can manifest itself through a huge number of symptoms. Therefore, it makes sense for any person to undergo diagnostics of internal organs at least once a year. Thus, it is possible to prevent the development of the disease, and in case of its occurrence, prevent it from taking on threatening forms.
Cirrhosis of the liver is curable or not?
In the case of early diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver, there is every opportunity to stop the development of the disease. This will help compliance with the diet, courses of treatment and systematic diagnostics to control the state of the body. Compliance with fairly simple rules for cirrhosis of the liver makes it possible to live long and fully.
In cases where the disease is in the last stage and has taken on life-threatening forms, liver transplantation can help. Thus, the question "Is cirrhosis of the liver curable?" remains open for now. And modern medicine has not yet created medicines that could cure the disease completely.
Stages of cirrhosisliver
This disease develops very slowly. The process can take years, and the absence of clearly defined symptoms at an early stage complicates the timely detection of the disease. Therefore, people with cirrhosis of the liver should remember to check periodically, especially if general symptoms appear, such as weakness, loss of appetite.
In total, there are 3 stages of disease progression:
- Compensation stage. It can manifest itself with various unsystematic symptoms. Or there are no signs of the onset and development of the disease at all. This is explained by the fact that at this stage, the destruction of the liver is minimal, and he althy cells are able to compensate for the appearance of patients with increased work.
- The stage of subcompensation. Most often, the first symptoms of cirrhosis appear at this stage. This is due to the appearance of more affected areas and the inability of he althy cells to do all the work. Since the human liver is no longer working at full capacity, a feeling of weakness, weight loss, lack of appetite and discomfort in the liver area are characteristic.
- Stage of decompensation. It is characterized by the most detrimental and pronounced symptoms that cirrhosis of the liver can take. Is it curable or not at this stage? Unfortunately, at this stage there is a serious threat to the patient's life. And the main task of medicine in this case is to slow down the development of the disease as much as possible. Moreover, the treatment should be carried out under the constant supervision of doctors.
Symptoms of liver cirrhosis
Almost all symptoms of the disease appear at the stage of subcompensation.
- Constant fatigue, weakness. Feeling of drowsiness and a general decrease in the tone of the body.
- Loss of appetite and therefore weight loss.
- Itchy skin, especially at night.
- Palms turn red.
- May cause jaundice. Most likely for the stage of decompensation.
- The appearance of spider veins on the skin.
- Occurrence of poor blood clotting. In the case of wounds or cuts, the blood is difficult to stop.
Causes of the disease
- Alcohol. The most common cause of liver disease is cirrhosis. About 30% of people who drink alcohol every day develop this disease within 2-3 years.
- Hepatitis B or C. The long-term course of these hepatitises can lead to cirrhosis.
- Heredity. In some cases, people have the ability to overabsorb copper and iron from food. Over time, the accumulation of these substances leads to disease.
- Cryptogenic cirrhosis. Medicine does not yet know the cause of this type of cirrhosis, but it develops very quickly, and liver transplantation becomes the only treatment option.
- Drugs. Excessive and thoughtless use of drugs leads to destruction of the liver.
- Primary biliary cirrhosis. Caused by blockage of the bile ducts in the liver, which occurs due to malfunctions in the immunesystem.
Diagnosis
- External examination, palpation of the liver.
- Hepatitis blood test.
- Ultrasound of internal organs.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Computed tomography (CT).
- Liver biopsy.
Cirrhosis treatment
Methods and programs of treatment largely depend on the stage of cirrhosis and the general condition of the patient. It is aimed at stopping the destruction of the liver and preventing the occurrence of complications.
General recommendations for all patients include a strict diet and total abstinence from alcohol. It is also necessary to undergo a systematic examination. Following all the doctor's prescriptions makes it possible to protect the body from all the troubles that cirrhosis of the liver carries. "Cureable or not cirrhosis?" - the question is not so relevant. It is important to diagnose the disease in time, stop and prevent the development of complications.
