What is Cirrhosis of the Liver?

Cirrhosis is a condition that results from permanent damage or scarring of the liver. This leads to a blockage of blood flow through the liver and prevents normal metabolic and regulatory processes. It is the end stage of many different forms of liver disease and is known to cause a number of health problems, including variceal bleeding, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy.

What causes Cirrhosis of the Liver?

The major causes of cirrhosis are as follows:

• Chronic alcoholism.
• Viral infections caused by chronic viral hepatitis (types B, C and D).
• Metabolic diseases such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, galactosemia and glycogen storage disorders.
• Inherited diseases such as Wilson disease and hemochromatosis.
• Biliary cirrhosis resulting from diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
• Toxic hepatitis caused by severe reactions to prescribed drugs or prolonged exposure to environmental toxins.
• Repeated bouts of heart failure with liver congestion.

What are the signs and symptoms of Cirrhosis of the Liver?

People in the early stages of cirrhosis have few symptoms. Some symptoms an individual may notice include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Exhaustion

As liver function decreases, fewer proteins such as albumin are produced resulting in fluid accumulation in the legs (edema) or abdomen (ascites). Individuals with cirrhosis may bleed and bruise easily due to a decrease in proteins required for blood clotting. Some people may even experience intense itching due to products that are deposited in the skin.

How common is Cirrhosis of the Liver?

According to Stats Canada, Cirrhosis is ranked the 11th leading cause of death in Canada.

What health problems are caused by Cirrhosis of the Liver?

In the later stages of cirrhosis, jaundice occurs and gallstones are more common because insufficient levels of bile reach the gallbladder. A cirrhotic liver no longer removes toxins effectively leading to toxin accumulation in the blood, which in turn can impair mental function and lead to personality changes and possibly coma. Early signs of toxin accumulation in the brain may include:

• Neglect of personal appearance
• Unresponsiveness
• Forgetfulness
• Concentration problems
• Changes in sleeping habits

Because the normal cleansing process is impaired by cirrhosis, drugs are not properly filtered resulting in an increased sensitivity to drugs and their side-effects.

Normally, blood from the intestines and spleen is pumped to the liver through the portal vein. However, cirrhosis blocks the normal flow of blood through the liver. This can lead to swelling of the liver and potentially the spleen. Blood from the intestines, is then forced to find a new way around the liver through new vessels. Some of these new blood vessels called "varices" (which form primarily in the stomach and esophagus) become quite large. These varices may rupture due to high blood pressure (portal hypertension) and thin vessel walls, causing bleeding in the upper stomach or esophagus.

 

What can be done to help with Cirrhosis of the Liver?

• Take Critical Liver Support, which improves liver function and provides therapeutic liver protection as well as antioxidant protection.
• Take Organic Clear Fibre, a daily fiber supplement that helps to soak up toxins from the liver.
• Take Norwegian Gold Daily Omega, a daily Omega 3 (EFA) supplement that helps to rebuild healthy new liver cells