Cirrhosis is a chronic and irreversible disease that causes cell destruction and fibrosis of the hepatic tissues. This scared tissue formation alters normal liver structure and vasculature that impairs blood and lymph flow. Ultimately resulting in hepatic insufficiency and hypertension in the portal vein. Three major forms of cirrhosis of the liver are Laennec’s cirrhosis, post necrotic cirrhosis, and biliary cirrhosis. Laennec’s cirrhosis results from malnutrition and chronic alcohol consumption. It is also the most common form of cirrhosis. Post necrotic cirrhosis results from drug induced massive hepatic necrosis and biliary cirrhosis consists of chronic bile obstruction. Cirrhosis is more prevalent among malnourished older adult men over …show more content…
Men will have decreased testosterone levels and breast enlargement.
Treatment plans for cirrhosis of the liver consist of antacids, vitamins, nutritional supplements, avoidance of alcohol, pharmacological, and surgical interventions. To combat the issue of ascites, the client should visit the health care provider to receive a prescription to take spironolactone, which is a potassium sparring diuretic, pain medications, and antiemetic’s for nausea. Clients should also go to their health care providers to receive scheduled paracentesis. If the client has high ammonia levels they should take lactulose, which is an ammonia reducer and laxative.
The clients diet in the early stages of cirrhosis should consist of high protein and high carbohydrates. In the advanced stages the diet should consist of fiber, protein, fat, and sodium restrictions. Clients should receive small frequent meals, be on fluid restrictions, rest frequently, avoid infections, and avoid excess use of soap to prevent skin irritation. Surgical interventions for cirrhosis can consist of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and liver transplant. Clients will ultimately receive a shunt if ascites is resistant to other forms of treatment. The shunt is to reduce portal pressure and relieve ascites. Clients can also visit support
1. What are the common manifestations of alcoholic cirrhosis? Which of these are secondary to
During chronic liver disease, hepatocyte cell death results in inflammation that leads to fibrosis. In addition, the loss of functional hepatocytes results in loss of liver functions, such as the ability to metabolize bilirubin and synthesize proteins (e.g., albumin and clotting factors). Under normal conditions, blood flows from splanchnic circulation to hepatic circulation (for removal of bacteria and toxins) via the portal vein, and blood is returned to systemic circulation via the hepatic vein. Because of liver fibrosis, the distortion of hepatic architecture increases resistance to blood flow, resulting in portal hypertension. The portal collaterals relieve some of the pressure in the portal system but may contribute to cirrhosis-related complications such as varices (Liou, 2014).
In the presented case scenario, we have Mr. Gil Martin who is a 55-year-old Hispanic male. He comes in to the clinic today with complaints of weakness, fatigue, and loss of appetite. A student nurse will be precepting your assessment of Mr. Martin and when collecting subjective and objective data it is important to pay close detail to all findings. Ultimately this patient was diagnosis with cirrhosis, which is an abnormal liver condition that leads to irreversible scarring of the liver (National Institute of Health [NIH], 2017), so during assessment we should pay attention to details leading to this diagnosis.
There are many places that can be used as a resource to get further information and become aware about cirrhosis. There are foundations and organization that have websites with information such as the American Liver Foundation, National Institute of Health, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are also medical websites that have lots of information and resources about the disease a few examples are WebMD and Mayo Clinic. Additional resources promoting awareness are social media sites like Facebook. There are also many videos that can be found on YouTube. Another way to show awareness is to wear a Yellow ribbon which represents Liver diseases.
Socioeconomic: Married, father of two boys (ages 19 and 17 years old), history of drinking one quart of hard liquor each day for three years prior to diagnosis of cirrhosis
The progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis, the end-point of CLDs, is distinguished by a prolonged inflammatory and fibrogenic process that leads to an abnormal angioarchitecture distinctive for cirrhosis. Several mechanisms are responsible for the angiogenic switch during the pathogenesis of CLDs. First, CLDs are characterised by chronic inflammation. Increased intrahepatic vascular resistance is primarily caused by anatomical changes, such as fibrotic scar tissue compressing portal and central venules. In addition, the formation of fibrotic septa, as well as sinusoidal capillarisation, can result in an increased resistance to blood flow and oxygen delivery. This results in hypoxia and the transcription of hypoxia-sensitive pro-angiogenic
HRS is the most advanced stage of different pathophysiologic derangements that occur in individuals with cirrhosis. Intense renal vasoconstriction that begins at an early time point and progresses with worsening of liver disease are the hallmark of HRS. The underlying mechanisms that are involved in HRS are incompletely understood but may include both increased vasoconstrictor and decreased vasodilator factors acting on the renal circulation. Type 2 HRS is gradually progressive and arises in association with the progression of cirrhosis, whereas type 1 is an acute deterioration in kidney function associated with severe renal vasoconstriction and failure of compensatory mechanisms that are responsible for maintenance of renal perfusion [Wadei
Cirrhosis is a serious disease of the liver where scar tissue replaces normal healthy tissue, and affects the function and structure of the liver. Liver, which is the largest organ in the body, has a vital roles which are important to keep the body functioning well. Liver makes proteins and enzymes that regulate blood clotting. It also regulates cholesterol and stores the energy. In addition, the liver removes poisons from the blood. 30% of cirrhosis's victims are diagnosed will remain alive for 5 years. Cirrhosis can be defined regarding its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Chronic liver diseases is one of main threaten to human health. Many sources can lead to chronic liver diseases, such as hepatitis virus infection: hepatitis B mainly in East Asia and hepatitis C in North America, unhealthy lifestyle: excessive drinking and/or obese induced fatty liver disease (Jarčuška et al., 2010). Most kinds of chronic liver diseases will lead to liver inflammation, hepatocellular dysfunction, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and accumulation of extracellular matrix, which is known as liver fibrosis, then further developed to cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver has the regeneration capability, in chronic liver diseases, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are activated and proliferate abundantly, overexpress collagens and other extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrillar compounds to replace damaged liver parenchyma, this process is known as liver fibrosis. The early stage of liver fibrosis is reversible when appropriate antifibrotic therapies are used and/or causative agents are removed. If not, liver fibrosis will develop to irreversible cirrhosis (Bataller and
Cardiac dysfunction resulting from cirrhosis has been the aim of multiple studies. Results demonstrated that liver cirrhosis causes impaired systolic or diastolic function, electrophysiological abnormalities, and chronotropic incompetence. Although some diastolic alterations may precede the systolic disturbances, both forms of dysfunction may develop at the same time in cirrhotic patients.
As the number of deaths from liver cancer are increasing worldwide, it is becoming more crucial to develop efficient and effective ways to combat liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer and it is often usually caused by severe chronic liver injury acquired through the progression of certain liver diseases such as hepatitis B and C, alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Although the etiology of liver cancer varies worldwide depending on geographic location, a commonality that they share is that if left untreated they often lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is distinguished by a reduction in the proliferation of hepatocytes, which significantly effects the replicative capacity of hepatocytes
Liver dysfunction is related to the abnormality in the liver’s ability to perform its normal functions, mainly due to exposure to various stimuli such as toxic substances, viral infections, and trauma, which eventually lead to massive damage to the hepatocytes as well as abnormal functions of the liver.(1)
However, sometimes the liver gets overwhelmed and can't repair itself completely, especially if it's still under attack from a virus, drug, or alcohol. Scar tissue develops, which becomes difficult to reverse, and can lead to cirrhosis.
The viral hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non alcoholic fatty liver disease (FLD), cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer [1,2] are known to cause most morbidity and mortality among
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.