The liver is our body's natural filter. Violations in the work of this organ cause significant harm to the entire body. Cirrhosis of the liver is a very dangerous disease that has several stages of development, depending on the severity of the course. The last and most dangerous degree of organ damage is called decompensated cirrhosis of the liver. This means that the damaged cells of the organ cannot be restored. In this article, we will consider the causes of the pathology and possible treatment.
Definition
Decompensated cirrhosis of the liver is an irreversible stage of cirrhosis, which leads to irreparable consequences. At this stage, the tissues of the organ are destroyed, being replaced by scar compounds. The pathological process affects almost the entire liver, which is the cause of its deformation and reduction in size.
The organ cannot perform its functions, which leads to intoxication of the body and the development of dangerous diseases that can lead to death. A feature of the decompensated stage is the rapidity of its development. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in older people aged 50-60 years.
Reasons
Decompensated stage of liver cirrhosis can occur for various reasons. Consider the most common of them.
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages. This is the main factor in the development of pathology.
- Using drugs.
- Long-term medication use.
- Interaction with harmful substances.
- Viral diseases.
- Venous congestion of the liver.
- Smoking.
- Wrong diet.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pathologies of the heart.
Symptomatics
Unlike the earlier stages of cirrhosis, in which the signs of the disease are mild, in decompensated liver cirrhosis, the symptoms are very pronounced, which makes it easy to diagnose the development of a pathological condition.
Patients complain about the following clinical manifestations:
- Sudden weight loss.
- Meteorism.
- Pain in the abdomen, discomfort in the ribs on the right side.
- Lack of appetite.
- Depletion of the body.
- Intense fever.
- Breach of stool.
- Jaundice.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Yellowness of the skin.
- Puffiness, especially in the abdomen.
- Bleeding.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Psycho-emotional disorders, manifested asinsomnia, irritability, tearfulness.
- Redness of the skin of the palms.
- Sealing the organ.
- The appearance of spider veins.
- The appearance of "liver spots".
- Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum.
- Enlargement of the spleen.
- Irregular menstruation and infertility.
- Impaired potency in men.
It is worth noting that with decompensated liver cirrhosis, the symptoms appear gradually, disrupting the quality of life of a person.
Diagnosis
Timely diagnosis of the disease allows you to start treatment before the onset of irreversible consequences. Diagnosis of decompensated liver cirrhosis includes a number of laboratory and instrumental examination methods. The most informative are the following:
- Common urinalysis. With the development of pathology, protein, red blood cells and s alts are determined.
- Complete blood count. The degree of cirrhosis is indicated by low hemoglobin levels, an increase in ESR and leukocytosis.
- Biochemical blood test. Indicates an increase in bilirubin, AST, phosphatase. This reduces the level of proteins, cholesterol and urea.
- Ultrasound examination of the liver and other abdominal organs. A decrease in the liver indicates its deformation. This condition is very dangerous and requires immediate treatment.
- Biopsy. Using this diagnostic method, the degree of organ damage is examined.
- Laparoscopy. This is a surgical examinationallowing to determine the degree of cirrhosis, the functioning of the organ and the general appearance.
- MRI or computed tomography.
Treatment
Treatment of decompensated liver cirrhosis will depend on many factors. The general condition of the organ, the degree of tissue damage, the age and condition of the patient are taken into account. But even if treatment begins at the first symptoms of this stage, it will be very difficult to stop the destruction of the liver. Therefore, maintenance therapy is prescribed in most cases.
Treatment options include medication, surgery and diet.
Among medicines, the following groups of drugs are used:
- Hepatoprotectors. These are medicines whose function is to protect the liver from the adverse effects of toxins and harmful substances. They also help to neutralize toxic products and increase the regeneration of liver cells.
- Detoxifiers. Drugs that remove toxic substances from the body.
- Immunosuppressants. Used in organ transplants.
- choleretic drugs.
- Immunostimulants.
- Diuretics.
- Vitamin complexes.
- Antiviral drugs that are most important in case of viral nature of decompensated liver cirrhosis.
- Antibiotics to be given when complications develop.
- Iron preparations are indicated in cases of low hemoglobin.
Surgical treatment
Can be used for very severe disease. The most common method in this case is liver transplantation, which, if the outcome is favorable, will increase the life expectancy of a person. But it is important to know that this method does not always bring a positive result, since the transplanted organ can be rejected by the body. A donor liver transplant may be indicated if there is at least a 50% chance of recovery.
Diet therapy
Diet in decompensated liver cirrhosis plays a big role. This is due to the inability of the body to perform its protective and metabolic functions. Specialists in this pathology recommend eating according to diet plan No. 5. Meals should be taken several times a day in small portions. In case of a complicated course of the disease, it is recommended to grind the food to a puree state. Consider the main recommendations.
- Prohibited high-fat foods, legumes, as well as spicy, s alty, smoked dishes.
- It is worth giving up strong tea and coffee.
- The consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited.
- It is also necessary to exclude carbonated drinks and sweets.
- Animal protein in the diet should be limited.
Prevention
Preventive measures will minimize the risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver. You just need to follow some rules:
- Do not abuse alcohol.
- Eat right, avoid fatty, spicy foods.
- Wash hands and food thoroughly before eating.
- Do not smoke or use drugs.
- Prevention of hepatitis.
- Chronic care.
- Blood pressure control.
- Vitamin therapy.
Possible Complications
Since the body loses its ability to resist harmful substances during cirrhosis of the liver, various pathological conditions can occur against this background. For example:
- Bleeding most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract and esophagus.
- Hepatic encephalopathy.
- Ascites. This is an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum. Its consequence is the addition of a secondary infection, which can lead to the development of peritonitis.
- The appearance of hernias.
- Malignant tumors.
- Coma.
Forecast
With decompensated liver cirrhosis, the prognosis, unfortunately, is unfavorable in most cases. This is especially true for the elderly and women, as they are more susceptible to developing the disease.
At this stage of cirrhosis, the liver is so damaged that it is no longer able to regenerate. And the secondary diseases of the body that occur in this case only aggravate the course of the disease. For example, with bacterial peritonitis, in the vast majority of cases, patients die. And with the development of severe bleeding, death can occur instantly. Hepatic encephalopathy impairs consciousness andeventually leading to coma. As a result, the person dies.
With timely treatment, the likelihood of increasing life expectancy increases significantly. In other cases, a person can live with this diagnosis for no more than five years.
Conclusion
Decompensated cirrhosis of the liver is a very dangerous disease. Despite this, by taking preventive measures, the risk of its occurrence can be minimized. It is necessary to monitor your he alth and in case of any alarming changes occurring in the body, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
