World Liver Day is observed annually on April 19th to raise awareness about liver health and highlight the importance of preventing and managing liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. The day aims to educate people about the risk factors, causes, and consequences of liver diseases, as well as promote early detection, proper management, and healthy lifestyle choices to maintain liver health.
Liver cirrhosis is a significant global health concern, and the day serves as a reminder to take steps to prevent liver diseases, such as avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, getting vaccinated against viral hepatitis, and seeking timely medical care for liver-related symptoms. It also encourages individuals to support liver health research, spread awareness, and provide support to those affected by liver cirrhosis or other liver diseases.
It’s important to understand the symptoms and causes of liver cirrhosis and liver health to prevent liver disease and improve the overall well-being of individuals worldwide.
Dr Anubhav Jain, Consultant, Gastroenterology, Paras Health, Gurugram, says, “Liver cirrhosis is scarring of liver caused by long term damage it is sometime called end stage liver disease because it happens after other stages of liver damage like hepatitis scarring prevents normal working of liver and can lead to life threatening complication.”
As the liver tissue becomes scarred, it loses its ability to function properly, leading to complications such as jaundice, ascites, portal hypertension, and hepatic encephalopathy. These complications can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Dr Abhai Singh, Senior Consultant, Gastroenterologist, Primus Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, says, “Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic liver disease caused by causes such as alcoholism, hepatitis B and C infections, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, and toxicity exposure. Fatigue, weakness, jaundice, itchy skin, and stomach discomfort or swelling are all possible symptoms.”
Dr Jain shares the symptoms of liver cirrhosis:
- Feeling weak and tired
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of muscle mass
- Red patches over skin
If cirrhosis gets advanced then:
- Jaundice
- Blood vomiting or black stools
- Itchy skin
- Dark coloured urine
- Easy bleeding /bruising
- Leg edema or tummy ascites
- Loss of libido
Causes:
- Obesity or diabetes
- Chronic alcohol use
- Chronic untreated viral liver infection like Hepatitis B and C
- Immune disease like autoimmune hepatitis
- Disease affecting bile ducts like primary biliary cholangitis
Stages of liver cirrhosis
- Hepatitis
- Compensated cirrhosis
- Decompensated cirrhosis
A medical history, physical exam, blood tests, imaging studies, and a liver biopsy are used to make a diagnosis. It is critical to identify and manage risk factors early in order to avoid or limit the course of liver cirrhosis, which can lead to major consequences such as liver failure, liver cancer, and even death.
Diagnosis of liver cirrhosis involves a physical examination, blood tests, imaging studies, and sometimes a liver biopsy. Treatment options depend on the underlying cause of the disease, but may include lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases, liver transplantation.
Prevention of liver cirrhosis involves avoiding alcohol abuse, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting vaccinated against viral hepatitis. Early detection and treatment of the disease can improve outcomes and prevent complications.
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