Early signs of cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a chronic disease that is easily acquired without a healthy living error and an unreasonable rest. Cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer if not detected and treated early. However, the first signs of cirrhosis are often atypical, so it is easy to ignore.

Liver is fibrous (Photo: VNN)

Symptoms of cirrhosis

Cirrhosis occurs in both adults and children. This is a progressive disease, when the symptoms are clear, the disease is very severe with many dangerous complications, the treatment will be difficult. Therefore, early detection and timely treatment is needed.

Before suffering from cirrhosis, most patients suffer from liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, alcoholism. Cirrhosis progresses into 2 main stages:

Early stage (latent) : The symptoms of the disease are very poor. Patients only see a slight pain in the right flank, mild abdominal distention, appearance of dilated vessels in the neck, face . Many cases do not have clinical symptoms, patients still work and study normally . This period may be only a few weeks, sometimes lasting months or even years. Because there is no obvious expression, the patient is subjective, does not go to the doctor, does not have a reasonable diet. Many people still use alcohol, tobacco, use substances that are not beneficial to the liver . make the disease more likely to break out in the next stage.

Late stage (decompensation) : There are many obvious symptoms, so the patient just goes to see a doctor. The most obvious manifestation is liver failure and portal hypertension. The condition of fibrosis causes liver function to decline, leading to fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of weight, digestive disorders, loss of appetite, obesity, defecation disorders. Besides, patients are more likely to bleed under the skin and mucous membranes, such as nosebleeds, root bleeding. Some cases of darkening skin due to pigment deposition or yellow eyes, jaundice accompanied by itching, especially in case of cholestatic cirrhosis.

Edema is a prominent symptom of cirrhotic patients. At first, the two lower limbs were edema, and the liver later became severely affected. In addition, cirrhosis also affects the body's endocrine function. Men exhibit reduced libido, testicular atrophy, and enlarged breasts. Women suffer from menstrual disorders or loss of periods.

The situation of portal hypertension is often manifested by the phenomenon of collateral circulation. At first, the veins loomed in the nasal region and lower right flank, then develop gradually, sometimes see each tuft of veins emerging. At this time, patients may suffer from internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to rupture of veins in the esophagus and stomach. Increasing portal venous pressure makes patients with ascites, bulging abdomen. Choking of ascites is usually yellow, if pink, it may be cancerous.

When there are signs of late stage, the liver has no chance of recovery. At this time, the disease rarely responded to treatment, up to 60% died in the first year, over 80% died within 2 years and only 6% lived more than 3 years. Patients died of complications such as infection, gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatic coma.

Some prevention methods prevent cirrhosis

Alcohol causes more serious cirrhosis

• Abstain from tobacco alcohol because this is the main cause of liver diseases.
• Gentle exercise, moderation will help limit health of liver diseases.
• Nutrition used for cirrhosis is very important, and it is important to follow the doctor's prescription: eating just enough of no extra nutrients.Limit sodium in ready-to-eat or canned foods.Eat plenty of green vegetables to supplement essential minerals for your body.In addition, it is necessary to use functional foods originating from liver protection such as climbing spiny, Diep Dieu, milk, lingzhi .
• Periodic health examinations to monitor the progress of the disease.