Liver cirrhosis is one of the three main classifications of cirrhosis of the liver. There are two types of liver cirrhosis, primary and secondary. Primary cirrhosis can be seen in both males and females and occurs mostly during old age.
Primary cirrhosis of the liver develops slowly over time and has a high rate of mortality. This condition may occur suddenly and unpredictably or it may develop gradually over time. The progress of the liver disease is not uniform and there are some stages where the liver function is normal and others where there is a deterioration in liver function. Some of the major symptoms associated with this condition include liver pain, jaundice, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, fever, and swelling. In severe cases, a person may experience jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and the mucous membranes of the skin.
Secondary cirrhosis is the process by which the liver begins to deteriorate, usually as a result of a viral infection. Sometimes, people develop liver cirrhosis after developing cancer. If the cancer spreads to the liver, the disease has been called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Other causes of liver cirrhosis include alcohol abuse and obesity.
Cirrhosis of the liver affects approximately 40 percent of adults. The most common causes of liver cirrhosis are alcohol abuse and obesity. When liver cirrhosis develops slowly over time, it is called progressive hepatocellular carcinoma. Symptoms of this condition include weakness and weight loss, liver pain and jaundice, and darkening of the skin and mucous membranes.
Liver cirrhosis can affect men, women, and children. Men are at greater risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver than women. Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of cirrhosis in men. Diabetes, chronic hepatitis, and liver damage from radiation therapy or chemotherapy are also causes of cirrhosis in men.
Hepatitis is a type of chronic inflammation of the liver caused by an infection. The most common cause of hepatitis is the consumption of contaminated food or water. If the liver is affected by hepatitis, it is called cirrhosis of the liver.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy cause liver damage due to direct contact with the bloodstream. These treatments can also damage other organs, especially the kidneys. This is known as hepatocellular carcinoma. When liver cancer is present in the liver, symptoms may not be present until liver failure becomes evident.
Lymph node enlargement and fluid retention are also symptoms of liver failure. The lymph nodes enlarge when they are attacked and the glands become enlarged. This enlarges the lymphatic system. When the glands fail to remove the waste products that the liver produces from the blood, fluid accumulates in the lymphatic system and begins to block the lymphatic passages.
Symptoms of liver failure in children will vary greatly. Children develop all sorts of disorders, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease. These conditions can make the child very sick. Children can become more susceptible to complications from liver failure because of their immature immune systems and slow processes.
Symptoms of liver failure are usually experienced on one side of the body. They include jaundice, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and abdominal bloating. Sometimes, the liver failure symptoms can last for many weeks. If the symptoms do not improve after two to three weeks of taking medicines, the patient should contact a doctor for further evaluation. If the liver failure goes untreated, it may become life-threatening.
A doctor's advice is always best. Do not ignore the symptoms of liver failure
Seek medical treatment immediately if you believe that you or your child has a problem. Do not delay seeking medical attention if you have an illness or disease that might lead to liver failure.
People with liver failure often live longer than people who do not have it. This condition can be cured and improved with the right treatment. Doctors do not always know what exactly is causing the liver failure. The best thing to do is to get tested and find out. A person with cirrhosis of the liver might be able to use herbs and vitamins to help restore the liver to a healthy state.
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