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can also suffer damage, and fluid can accumulate in the abdomen.

The changes in circulation also decreases the amount of blood that gets to the liver itself, causing liver cells to die. This cell death is known generally as necrosis.

People with cirrhosis often have a lack of appetite and will feel weak. They will often present to an emergency room vomiting blood from damaged esophageal varices . They can have hormonal problems as the liver is responsible for metabolizing many sex hormones. Symptoms related to this include a lack of menstruation, enlarged breasts in men, and decreased libido. Later signs and symptoms of cirrhosis include swelling of the ankles, fluid near the lungs and in the abdomen, damage to the brain and kidney failure.

Treatment in most cases mostly involves alleviating the symptoms. A liver transplant is the only definitive solution.

It should be noted that alcohol is not the only cause of cirrhosis, only the most common. Because cirrhosis is a response to injury, any chronic injury may cause it. Viral hepatitis and diseases of the gallbladder are secondary causes of cirrhosis. Hemochromatosis is excessive iron deposition in the liver and elsewhere in the body. Hemochromatosis has a genetic cause as well as an acquired type. Treatment involves medications which remove the excess iron from the bloodstream, or in some cases actively bleeding the patient. Odd, but true.

Cirrhosis is not something you want to face. The best way to avoid this debilitating disease is to limit how much you drink. If you have any concerns about your alcohol consumption, talk to your doctor or anyone you are close to and get yourself help as soon as possible. The sooner the problem is dealt with, the better chance there is of fixing the problem.

Learn more about this author, Erich Rosenberger M.D..
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