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Liver Cirrhosis Symptoms and Treatment

The liver is a large organ that lives in the right upper area of the abdomen, under the right lung. It is one of the most intelligent organs in the body when it is disease free. It makes proteins, and performs many different functions simultaneously, including regenerating itself from injury or disease. When a liver is working properly or even slightly damaged, its job is one of the most important in the body.

There are many different causes for cirrhosis of the liver, including
1. Chronic viral hepatitis Type B or C, and possibly other viruses;
2. Abnormal storage of copper (Wilson's Disease) or Iron (Hemochromatosis);
3. Chronic Bile Duct Blockage;
4. Alcohol and other toxins;
5. Cystic Fibrosis and Alpha l-antitrypsin (genetic disorders); and
6. Auto-immune Hepatitis.

It takes many years for a liver to go from healthy to scarred - cirrhotic.

In 1987, I was infected with an auto-immune form of Hepatitis C before screening of blood products for this virus began in the early 1990's. This illness went untreated and misdiagnosed for many years. Now I am experiencing some symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver. The symptoms are more intense than those for hepatitis alone.

Cirrhosis of the liver can cause:
1. Encephalopathy, caused by toxins released into the brain. This causes fuzzy thinking, slurred speech, heavy constant sleep, even hallucinations during sleep. Left untreated, this can lead to coma and death. A medication called Lactulose cleans toxins from the brain.
2. Intense itching from toxins released from the bloodstream to under the skin. The itching goes into one's throat, eyes, nasal passages, etc. It disturbs sleep patterns, causing ongoing exhaustion. It becomes so severe a person can awaken with cuts on the body. Often this will lead to the decision to request a liver transplant.
3. Ascites, or swelling of the abdomen and/or swelling of lower legs and ankles is another symptom of cirrhosis. This can be alleviated with diuretics.
4. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes, and urine, caused by bile backing up into the blood.
5. Gallstones.
6. Clotting disorders and excessive bleeding.
7. Bleeding from esophagus to the heart (internal bleeding).
8. Night sweats and severe chills, often lasting for hours, night after night.
9. Cryoglobulemia from auto-immune hepatitis. Blood is often damaged by one's immune system. These left-over microscopic "globs" get stuck in the bloodstream, near the joints and appendages where

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