Cirrhosis & Renal Disease

Cirrhosis and renal disease are both serious conditions that affect delicate vital organs. The liver and kidneys are essential to complete the most basic bodily functions. If you already have cirrhosis, it can cause renal disease in the form of hepatorenal disease, a potentially fatal condition.

Cirrhosis

• Cirrhosis (also known as cirrhosis of the liver) is the systematic replacement of the liver tissue with fibrous scar tissue. This liver disease can be brought on by chronic alcohol abuse, hepatitis and fatty liver disease. It can also be caused by trouble processing sugars from milk, iron buildup or parasites. The first sign of cirrhosis is a noticeable weight loss, but it can also cause easy bruising and bleeding. You may also notice a buildup of fluid in your abdomen.

Renal Disease

• Renal disease (often called chronic renal disease or chronic kidney disease) is the gradual loss of kidney function due to one or a combination of factors. Some common causes of renal disease include high blood pressure, diabetes or polycystic kidney disease. High cholesterol, sickle cell anemia and lupus also put you at risk for developing renal disease. Renal disease often shows up as lower back pain, frequent urination or blood in the urine.

Hepatorenal Syndrome

• The relationship between cirrhosis and renal disease is found in hepatorenal syndrome, a condition where the kidneys are damaged as a result of liver cirrhosis. As the cirrhosis prevents the liver from functioning, changes occur in the way the blood circulates through the intestines. This in turn alters the blood flow to kidneys, damaging the tiny blood vessels to allow the kidneys to function. Symptoms of hepatorenal syndrome include abdominal swelling, delirium and yellowed skin. You will also notice dark urine or a decrease in urine production.

Treatment

• Hepatorenal syndrome can be fatal. Treatment begins with immediate measures to improve kidney function. The patient will be hospitalized. Almost all hepatorenal syndrome patients are immediately put on dialysis. Any treatment that requires surgery is not recommended because cirrhosis can make surgery very risky. The exception to that is a liver transplant. Many hepatorenal syndrome cases require a liver transplant.

Prevention

• Prevention is essential. Hepatorenal syndrome is often fatal, and both kidney and liver diseases are often considered irreversible. Preventing hepatorenal syndrome begins with preventing cirrhosis. Limit your intake of alcohol and seek immediate treatment of alcohol abuse. Practice safe sex and do no share needles. Always get regular medical checkups so that any liver disease you do have can be diagnosed and treated early. Early diagnosis increases the success of any treatment.