CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15/CDRT.iso/dp/0009/0009700.tid

Text File | 1994-01-17 | 4KB | 71 lines

$Title{Cirrhosis of the Liver}

A Medical Times Patient Education Chart
(C) Romaine Pierson Publishers, Inc.

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Cirrhosis of the Liver

The Indispensable Liver

     The liver is the body's largest organ and has many vital functions
involving the use of food for energy.  These include the production of bile to
help digest fat, of proteins for cell growth and repair, and of enzymes needed
to trigger internal reactions.  Serving as the body's "detoxification" center,
the liver bears the brunt of harmful chemicals, drugs, and alcohol.  Even a
few days of heavy drinking can cause a buildup of fat and water, a reversible
condition known as fatty liver.  Although the liver can repair limited damage
from abuse and injury, continued assaults on the liver cause the formation of
scar tissue.

The Causes of Cirrhosis of the Liver

     More than 27,000 Americans die from cirrhosis of the liver each year.  It
is this country's third leading cause of death among those aged 25 to 59.
Most, but by no means all, cases of cirrhosis are caused by alcohol abuse.
Even so, most alcoholics do not develop cirrhosis, and cirrhosis can occur in
people who are only moderate drinkers and among young children who have never
had an alcoholic drink.  These children usually lack a properly functioning
duct to transport bile from the liver to the digestive tract.
     Bile duct obstruction can also lead to cirrhosis among adults.  Other
causes include exposure to potent insecticides and chemicals in the workplace,
reactions to medications and other drugs, some forms of viral hepatitis and
other diseases, and the inability of the body to properly process iron,
copper, or sugar.

Signs and Symptoms

     In most cases, there are no early signs of cirrhosis, and the disease may
go undetected until it is in the advanced stages or is diagnosed in the course
of treating another illness.  As the disease establishes itself, some patients
may experience weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and
weight loss.  Later symptoms may include abdominal pain and distension due to
fluid build-up, itching, a foul-smelling "liver breath," jaundice or yellowing
of the skin and whites of the eyes as the liver is unable to remove bile
pigments, vomiting of blood, loss of hair, and nervous system disorders that
could possibly lead to coma.
     Blood and urine samples may indicate liver function problems, but these
tests can also produce normal results when cirrhosis is present.  Liver scans
may show abnormal uptake of test materials.  The most useful tool for
definitively establishing a diagnosis of cirrhosis and determining stage of
disease is a needle biopsy.  In this procedure, a slender needle is inserted
into the liver and a tissue sample withdrawn for inspection under a
microscope.

The Treatment of Cirrhosis of the Liver

     If cirrhosis is determined to be caused by alcohol or another
identifiable substance, the patient will of course be advised to avoid the
cause.  Those with alcoholic cirrhosis may also be advised to follow a healthy
diet.  Although viral hepatitis is not curable, experimental drugs may be
prescribed to enhance the body's immune system and control the disease.
Distension may be controlled by restricting salt intake and taking diuretics
to help rid the body of excess water.  Patients with cirrhosis are often less
able to fight infection and more likely to suffer kidney problems, stomach
ulcers, gallstones, a form of diabetes, and liver cancer.
     A drug used to treat gout is showing promise in improving survival rates
of patients with cirrhosis.  In controlled studies, patients receiving the
drug, colchicine, had five-year survival rates of 75%, compared to 34% in the
untreated group.  After ten years, the rates were 56% and 20%.