由 home-healthhaven 
The liver, the largest organ in your body, plays a vital role in several key functions. These include making blood proteins that help transport oxygen and support the immune system, producing bile to aid digestion, storing glucose as glycogen, and breaking down saturated fats to create cholesterol.
Cirrhosis is a slow-progressing liver disease where healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, hindering the liver’s ability to function properly. This scarring disrupts blood flow through the liver and slows the processing of hormones, nutrients, and natural toxins. It also reduces the liver’s production of proteins and other essential substances.
So, what causes liver cirrhosis?
Anything that damages the liver can lead to cirrhosis. Common causes include:
– Severe viral infections like hepatitis B, C, and D.
– Fatty liver associated with diabetes and obesity.
– Blockage of the bile duct, which transports bile from the liver to the intestines to help digest fats. In conditions like primary biliary cirrhosis, the bile ducts can become inflamed, scarred, and blocked.
Now let’s address the important question: Do regular drinkers suffer from cirrhosis?
Regular alcohol consumption can seriously damage your liver, making it a leading cause of cirrhosis. Women who drink heavily are at a higher risk than men. Those with hepatitis B or C are also more likely to experience liver problems from alcohol.
What are the symptoms of cirrhosis?
Early on, there may be no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
– Sudden weight changes
– Easy bruising
– Itchy skin
– Loss of appetite
– Pale stools or blood in stools
– Yellowing skin (jaundice)
– Swelling in the ankles, abdomen, and legs
– Dark urine
– Kidney failure
– Diabetes
– Early menopause
– Disorientation or personality changes
– Low energy levels
How is cirrhosis treated?
While there’s no specific cure, several treatments can slow the disease, reduce liver cell damage, and manage complications.
Treatment depends on the cause of cirrhosis:
– For alcohol-related cirrhosis, completely stopping alcohol consumption can halt disease progression.
– For hepatitis-related cirrhosis, doctors may prescribe antiviral drugs or steroids to reduce liver cell damage.
– To manage symptoms, doctors often recommend medications. For instance, ascites (fluid in the abdomen) and edema (fluid retention) are commonly treated by reducing salt intake in the diet.
Living a healthy life is in your control. Remember to eat well and maintain good habits to enjoy a happier, healthier life.