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Your liver is known as the ‘Liver’ for a reason. It is associated with ‘life’ and is the only organ that you can live with a part of. The liver continues to live even if it is just a small part of it that remains and regrows in time. After your skin, the liver is the second biggest organ in your body. However, your liver can also get damaged very easily. This is because it filters the blood from the digestive tract and passes it to the rest of your body.
Liver cirrhosis is a late stage of liver disease. There is scarring of the liver that takes place due to diseases causing cell death and inflammation. The injured cells are taken care of via cell repair. This results in scarring of the tissues. These scarred tissues block the blood from the other organs to the liver. The scarring also slows down the ability of the liver to filter toxins and process nutrients, hormones, and drugs in the blood. The functioning of the liver reduces and becomes subpar. Cirrhosis will continue to damage your liver and keep it from working properly.
Main Causes of Liver Cirrhosis
The common causes of liver cirrhosis include:
1. Alcohol abuse
When you drink alcohol continuously for a long period, your liver gets damaged. You develop an alcohol-related liver disease that can result in scarring.
2. Chronic viral liver infections
Infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C affect the liver directly. They cause altered functioning of the liver resulting in scarring and liver damage.
3. Fatty liver
Since the liver filters the toxins from the blood, there is also a lot of fat that is sifted from the blood. When the liver does not function properly, the fat is not broken down as normally as it should. This fat accumulates in the liver. When you have diabetes or are obese, the condition is known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Other Causes of Liver Cirrhosis
There are other causes of liver cirrhosis as well. Any condition that damages your liver and affects its functioning can result in cirrhosis. The other causes are:
1. Inherited diseases
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Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency - An abnormal protein builds up in the liver
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Wilson disease - There is an excessive amount of copper stored in the liver
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Haemochromatosis - There is an excessive amount of iron stored in the liver
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Alagille syndrome - You are born with lesser bile ducts than usual; this affects the bile flow and results in jaundice
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Glycogen storage diseases - When the liver is unable to break down the glycogen (a form of sugar)
2. Diseases that damage the bile ducts or block them in the liver
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Primary biliary cholangitis - The bile ducts are injured, inflamed, and permanently damaged
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Blocked bile duct - This causes infections, build of bile, and backup of products in the liver
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Primary sclerosing cholangitis - Inflammation of the bile ducts that causes scarring of the liver and narrowing of the ducts. This results in the accumulation of bile in the liver.
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Biliary atresia - A condition that infants are born with. The bile ducts are poorly formed or blocked causing damage, scarring, cirrhosis, and loss of healthy liver tissue.
3. Autoimmune hepatitis
A condition that causes your body’s immune system to attack healthy liver tissue and cells. This results in damage to the liver and scarring.
4. Chronic heart failure
The pumping of your heart is not adequate and up to the mark leading to fluid build-up in the liver. You may have swelling and fluid retention in other parts of the body as well.
5. Amyloidosis
A rare disease that causes abnormal deposits of amyloid (an abnormal protein) in your liver. This disrupts the normal functioning of the liver.
Most liver diseases result in scarring of liver tissue and ultimately lead to cirrhosis. Whatever the causes, the liver cells begin to die with every injury to the cells. The scar tissue is bound to form for every damage that occurs. This scar tissue replaces your liver cells and stops the liver from functioning properly.
Conclusion
If you belong to any of the categories above, consult your physician right away. Focus on leading a healthy lifestyle with moderate exercise, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, and maintaining ideal body weight.
If you are looking for the best Gastroenterology hospital in Bangalore then visit Manipal Hospital at Old Airport Road, Bangalore and get world-class liver cirrhosis treatment in Bangalore. The hospital has one of the best gastroenterologists in Bangalore who are highly experienced in treating and diagnosing liver conditions & diseases.
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