Cirrhosis Description

Cirrhosis is characterized by scarring of the liver caused by chronic damage over time. Your liver can continue to function properly and repair itself with mild cirrhosis but as scar tissue increases, it will eventually fail. Cirrhosis can result from several diseases and conditions.

Causes

• The most common causes of cirrhosis are excessive alcohol consumption and Hepatitis B and C. Other causes include cystic fibrosis, damage to the bile ducts, fatty liver disease, inability to process milk sugars, excessive iron in the body and parasites. Glycogen storing disease, which interferes with your body's ability to store and release energy necessary for bodily functions, can also result in cirrhosis, as can Wilson's disease, which is an accumulation of copper in the liver.

Symptoms

• Symptoms do not usually manifest until your liver has deteriorated significantly. Signs of cirrhosis include fatigue, bleeding and bruising easily, fluid build-up in the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, swelling in the legs and weight loss.

Complications

• Damage to the liver can cause a higher number of infections and difficulty overcoming them. Malnutrition is another consequence as is hepatic encephalopathy, which causes high levels of toxins in the blood, leading to problems thinking and concentrating and, in more serious cases, coma.
  Scar tissue inhibits the free flow of blood through the liver, increasing pressure in the veins, risking rupture and bleeding. Lastly, cirrhosis can increase your risk of liver cancer.

Conventional Treatments

• If you have cirrhosis due to alcohol use, giving up drinking is necessary. Treatment programs are available if you cannot do it on your own. Medications to treat hepatitis B and C can also minimize damage.

  Several treatments are available to manage complications of cirrhosis. A diet low in sodium and water pills can treat excess fluid accumulation. In more serious cases, drainage or surgery is required. Increased pressure in the veins caused by restricted blood flow can be mitigated with blood pressure medications or surgery that involves placing a stent in the veins to keep them open. Antibiotics address infections. If you develop hepatic encephalopathy, several medications, including lactolose, can manage the condition and help cleanse the blood. If your cirrhosis is advanced, a liver transplant may be required.

Supplements

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the following natural supplements might address symptoms of the conditions that cause cirrhosis as well as cirrhosis itself. Discuss natural treatments with your doctor and consult with him about proper doses if none are listed.

  Betaine is a nutrient that reduces homocysteine levels in the body; Homocysteine is an inflammatory chemical found in larger amounts in people with liver disease. The recommended dose of betaine is 20 grams per day split in two doses. S-adenosylmethionine or SAMe , taken at 1,200 to 1,600 mg daily, can reduce symptoms of liver disease and normalize levels of liver enzymes. Branched chain amino acids might be beneficial for treating hepatic encephalopathy; discuss dosing with your doctor.

  Milk thistle has been one of the most extensively studied herbs in Western research and its beneficial effects on the liver are well-documented; take 420 milligrams per day. Bupleurum is anti-inflammatory and has a long history of use for treating liver problems; it might reduce the risk of liver cancer if you have cirrhosis. Licorice root has also been used in both Eastern and Western traditional medical practices to treat liver disorders; do not use if you have high blood pressure or if you take water pills, steroids or blood thinners.