What is cirrhosis of the liver, what are the symptoms, what is life expectancy for sufferers and how is it treated?
CIRRHOSIS of the liver can be very serious, with the possibility it can lead into liver failure and potentially death.
But what is the condition and can it be treated? Here's all you need to know...
What is liver cirrhosis?
Liver cirrhosis is scarring of the liver caused by long term damage.
The scar tissue on the liver prevents it from functioning properly, which can eventually lead to failure where the liver stops functioning altogether.
The damage is often caused by excessive alcohol consumption causing irreparable damage to the vital organ.
You can be tested for the condition with a blood test. If you are concerned consult your GP as soon as possible.
What are the symptoms of liver cirrhosis?
Often people don't experience symptoms during the early stages of cirrhosis, only physically feeling unwell as the condition progresses.
As the liver becomes increasingly damaged people can feel tired, weak and nauseous, they can also loose their appetite and sex drive.
If the condition continues to get worse, sufferers can suffer from jaundice, where their skin and the whites of their eyes begin to yellow.
The person can also start vomiting blood, they can bleed or bruise more easily, they can develop swelling in their legs or tummy and they can start getting itchy skin.
The NHS provides a more detailed account of the symptoms on their .
Can the damage of liver cirrhosis be reversed?
At the moment there is no way of reversing the cirrosis of the liver.
But treatments are available to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition.
Doctors often strongly recommend that people with cirrhosis cut back on their alcohol consumption or stop drinking altogether.
People who are overweight are often asked to lose weight as well.
If the liver is so severely scarred that this fails completely, the only treatment option would be a transplant.
Which celebrities have suffered with liver cirrhosis?
Comedian Sean Hughes, best known for appearing on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, died at the age of 51 after suffering from liver cirrhosis.
Earlier this year a viral star dubbed the “Queen of Myspace” after finding fame online has died from liver failure at just 35.
Christine Dolce, who rose to stardom on the social networking site, passed away on February 6, 2017.
Dolce had reportedly been hospitalised since December after suffering from problems related to alcohol abuse.
