Essay On Cirrhosis

One of these symptoms is jaundice, which is characterized by yellowish skin and eyes because of an inability of the liver to remove bilirubin from the blood. Patient with cirrhosis also suffering from itching, due to deposited bile's products in the skin. This patient also suffers from accumulation of fluid in legs that is called edema. As a result of the blockage of blood flow via the liver, fluid accumulation in abdomen which is worsen by the decrease in protein production. Other symptoms include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss and nausea. As the disease progress, complications may develop ,such as varices that happens with cirrhosis patient when the blood flow through the liver slows, so the blood from intestine go back to the vessels of the stomach and esophagus, these vessels are not meant to carry this much of blood so they dilate (varices), with increasing

* Hepatorenal Syndrome: defined as a rapid deterioration in kidney function that manifests from an acute insult to the liver. Changes in blood flow due to decreased kidney function causes toxins to begin impairment of the kidneys since the liver cannot kill off the toxins before-hand. This condition is considered secondary to portal hypertension for this reason.

The foundation for a Drug Free World (2017) outlines the effects of binge drinking for an individual, including drowsiness, vomiting, and liver disease. Valley Sleep Centre (2016) suggests that alcohol causes drowsiness, due to alcohol’s sedative effect (substance that relieves anxiety and helps you fall asleep). On the other hand, New Health Advisor (2014) exclaims that vomiting is caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol, and it is the reaction to get rid of the extreme amount of alcohol in the body’s system. Alcoholic cirrhosis, a type of liver disease is considered by Patient (2015) to be when the liver loses its capability to function efficiently, and is caused by around 10 years of heavy

NA is a 65 yo Caucasian male with cirrhosis, Hep C s/p Harvoni, and encephalopathy. He had two recent hospitalizations due to altered mental status and elevated ammonia level. Upon today’s visit, patient still looks confused. Patient is not compliant to his Lactulose and only taking it nightly instead of three times a day. Noncompliance, underline cirrhosis and hepatitis C, long-term methadone use, diabetes are the precipitating factors potentially causing his hepatic encephalopathy (HE).

Loss of mobility will affect his job and families’ financial needs. A client with cirrhosis usually experiences severe fatigue, lack of energy and respiratory problems (Dirksen, Lewis, Heitkemper, & Bucher, 2011). As agreed by Wood and Garner (2012) drowsiness, confusion, and tiredness are associated features of respiratory problems, while the numbness of his legs and feet, lightheadedness and mood fainting is controlled by the nervous system. Patients with chronic liver disease frequently experience neurological problems due to the connection between the brain and the liver function (Dirksen et al., 2011); these problems will have a major impact in his daily activity and the possibility of losing his job.

More subtle signs of SAE may be evidenced only using electrophysiological or neuropsychological testing (4,8). In severe cases, structural abnormalities can be detected in magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (9,10,11). Electroencephalography (EEG) is very sensitive in identifying SAE and is a valuable tool in intensive care units where a number of these cases are seen and clinical assessment is difficult, as well as in animal models. The EEG abnormalities in these patients were found to correlate with mortality (4, 12). Advancement in our understanding of the condition and improvement in care of these patients has led to their increased survival. However, these patients remain at risk for long-term neurocognitive defects (13). Therefore, identification of the risk factors, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets remains to be further

Hepatic Encephalopathy - when the liver does not efficiently function to cleanse the body of toxins and drugs, the mental state of patients may change dramatically and lead to coma, called Hepatic Encephalopathy. Treatment is directed at reducing the protein in the diet, avoiding sedatives and pain medications, and using laxatives and/or

Alcoholic fatty liver (steatosis) can lead to cirrhosis and is caused by ingestion of more than one alcoholic drink (14 grams of alcohol) per day for women and two alcoholic drinks (28 grams of alcohol) per day for men (McCance & Heuther, 2014). Intravenous drug use, unprotected sexual intercourse as well as blood transfusions can lead to the transmission of Hepatitis B and C viruses.

(Robertson 2000) Subtle signs can appear before the characteristic neurological features, including extreme changes in behavior, deterioration of school work, or an inability to carry out activities that need good hand-eye coordination. Along with behavioral changes, other psychiatric manifestations include depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Cognitive dysfunction in patients with Wilson’s disease can accompany neurological deficits, often in the absence of detectable cortical association or hepatic encephalopathy, which lends support to the importance of pathological changes in basal ganglia as the primary cause of cognitive deficits in the

HCV is related to the liver; and it was interesting to hear that the consumption of alcohol can greatly damage the liver. Yet, despite how educated or prestige and individual may be, they still drink. During a conversation I had with my physician, he told me, “I had PhD colleagues who had drinking problems.” It amazed me that even with the full awareness that drinking diminishes the liver’s health, people persist in doing

Hepatitis B is the most common liver infection in the world and is caused by the hepatitis b virus. The hepatitis b virus enters the body and travels to the liver via the bloodstream. In the liver the virus attacks the healthy liver cells and then multiplies. The cells create copies of them selves and the multiplying of the virus cells then triggers a response from the bodies’ immune system. Most people at this stage of the virus are unaware the have the virus as there are no symptoms that can be seen or felt. Hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis (scaring of the liver), liver cancer or liver failure if not treated quickly enough. Some signs and symptoms of hepatitis include abdominal pain, dark urine, fever, joint pain, loss

This report will discuss how liver cancer affects the liver. I will discuss the how liver cancer affects the normal operation of the liver, what causes liver cancer, how this cancer can be detected and how this cancer can be treated. I will conclude with a discussion of how common liver cancer is.

Liver Flukes are a chronic parasitic inflammatory disease that inefcts the bile ducts. Infection caused by intake of raw fluke infested fish. The most well-known species that cause human infection are Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini and Opisthorchis felineus. Adult liver flukes can settle for twenty to thirty years in a host. Throughout the world roughly 35 million people are affected with Liver flukes. Liver Flukes disease should not be forgotten about.

For the past few decades there has been a chronic disease plaguing society’s young children. This chronic disease has spread worldwide with the numbers of diseased children is expected to increase in the next decade. This chronic disease is obesity. Along with the rise of obesity among youth, there is a new silent killer linked to childhood obesity. This new chronic disease, typically found in alcoholics, is now becoming prevalent in obese children and is called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is defined as a liver disease in people who have not consumed alcohol in significant amounts to cause liver damage, and in whom no other etiology for fatty liver is present (Prashant, 2007, p. 401). Ulrich, an MD at the Birmingham

The Liver is the body's largest gland, weighing about three to four pounds. It is located beneath the diaphragm in the right upper quadrant (RUQ) of the abdominal cavity. Without the liver, our bodies would be poisoned and unfit for us to do anything at all. It is a metabolically active organ responsible for many vital life functions. The primary functions of the liver are: Bile productions and excretion. Excretion of bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones, and drugs. Metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Enzyme activation. Storage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals. Synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin, and clotting factors. And blood detoxification and purification.