AST is usually higher than ALT but levels are usually lower than in alcoholic disease
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function as a result of chronic liver disease.
Alternative NamesLiver cirrhosis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCirrhosis is caused by chronic liver disease. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States include:
Other causes of cirrhosis include:
Symptoms may develop gradually, or there may be no symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they can include:
During a physical examination the health care provider may find:
Tests can reveal liver problems including:
The following tests may be used to evaluate the liver:
A liver biopsyconfirms cirrhosis.
Some patients will be screened for liver cancer every six months. Your doctor will use a blood test to check for levels of alpha fetoproteinand will do an imaging test (ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan).
TreatmentAll patients with cirrhosis can benefit from certain lifestyle changes, including:
Other treatment options are available for the complications of cirrhosis:
A procedure called transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is sometimes necessary for bleeding varices or ascites.
When cirrhosis progresses to end-stage liver disease, patients may be candidates for a liver transplant.
Support GroupsYou can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See liver disease - support group.
Expectations (prognosis)Cirrhosis is caused by irreversible scarring of the liver. Once cirrhosis develops, it is not possible to heal the liver or return its function to normal. It is a serious condition that can lead to many complications.
A gastroenterologist or liver specialist (hepatologist) should help evaluate and manage complications. Cirrhosis may result in the need for a liver transplant.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if:
Call your provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:
Don't drink alcohol heavily. If you find that your drinking is getting out of hand, seek professional help.
Measures for preventing the transmission of hepatitis B or C include:
Garcia-Tsao G, Lim JK; Members of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program. Management and treatment of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension: recommendations from the Department of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program and the National Hepatitis C Program. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104:1802-1829.
Schuppan D, Afdhal NH. Liver cirrhosis. Lancet. 2008;371:838-851.
Mehta G, Rothstein KD. Health maintenance issues in cirrhosis. Med Clin North Am. 2009;93:901-915.
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the final phase of chronic liver disease.
Alternative NamesLiver cirrhosis; Cryptogenic chronic liver disease
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCirrhosis is the end result of chronic liver damage caused by chronic liver diseases. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States include:
Other causes of cirrhosis include:
Symptoms may develop gradually, or there may be no symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they can include:
During a physical examination the health care provider may find:
Tests can reveal liver problems including:
The following tests may be used to evaluate the liver:
A liver biopsyconfirms cirrhosis.
Some patients will be screened for liver cancer. Your doctor will use a blood test to check for levels of alpha fetoprotein and will do an imaging test (ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan).
TreatmentAll patients with cirrhosis can benefit from certain lifestyle changes, including:
Other treatment options are available for the complications of cirrhosis:
A procedure called transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is sometimes needed for bleeding varices or ascites.
When cirrhosis progresses to end-stage liver disease, patients may be candidates for a liver transplant.
Support GroupsYou can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See liver disease - support group.
Expectations (prognosis)Cirrhosis is caused by irreversible scarring of the liver. Once cirrhosis develops, it is not possible to heal the liver or return its function to normal. It is a serious condition that can lead to many complications.
A gastroenterologist or liver specialist (hepatologist) should help evaluate and manage complications. Cirrhosis may result in the need for a liver transplant.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if:
Call your provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:
Don't drink alcohol heavily. If you find that your drinking is getting out of hand, seek professional help.
Measures for preventing the transmission of hepatitis B or C include:
Garcia-Tsao G, Lim JK; Members of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program. Management and treatment of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension: recommendations from the Department of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program and the National Hepatitis C Program. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104:1802-1829.
Garcia-Tsao G. Cirrhosis and its sequelae. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 156.
Mehta G, Rothstein KD. Health maintenance issues in cirrhosis. Med Clin North Am. 2009;93:901-915.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/16/2011
George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
It is cirrhosis without any symptoms
Cirrhosis is the final stage of liver disease (before death). There is only one level of cirrhosis, which is "bad", since cirrhosis is progressive and non-reverisble. The stage before cirrhosis is called "fibrosis", which you could classify is "not as bad".
Once a liver has developed cirrhosis, there is no way to reverse the damage. The only "cure" for cirrhosis is liver transplant.
Cirrhosis
It represents 15-20% of all cirrhosis
There is nothing as portal cirrhosis. There is a condition called as portal hypertension. In cirrhosis of liver you have signs of portal hypertension as well as of liver failure present in a given patient.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the Louvre was created on 1966-03-09.
In the United States about 31,000 people die every year from cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a chronic disease of the liver.
Cirrhosis is not a disease in itself, it is a stage of liver failure (the final stage, in fact). Whether it is "communicable" or not depends on whether the cause of the cirrhosis is communicable.
Cirrhosis was first introduced by Laennec in 1826. hope this helps!!!! from: a friend!!!!!
Cirrhosis can be prevented by not drinking alcohol and taking care of yourself. Hepatitis C should be avoided as well, due to it being linked with cirrhosis.