Cirrhosis (say "suh-ROH-sus") is a very serious condition in which scarring damages the liver. The liver is a large organ that is part of the digestive system . It does a wide range of complex jobs that are vital for life. For example, the liver: Makes many important substances, including bile to help digest food and clotting factors that help stop bleeding. When a person has cirrhosis, scar tissue (fibrosis ) replaces healthy tissue and prevents the liver from working as it should.

Cirrhosis of the liver is the end result of various insults on the liver. The insults could be poisons or viruses. It is a process wherein the normal liver tissue is replaced by non-functioning fibrous tissue. This alters the blood flow within the liver causing other pathways to open thus resulting in various complications.

Long-term, heavy use of alcohol. This is the most common cause of cirrhosis in the United States. Alcoholic cirrhosis can develop after 10 or more years of heavy drinking (5 or more drinks a day for a man or 3 or more drinks a day for a woman).1 See a picture to learn what is one drink . Chronic viral hepatitis. Cirrhosis develops in about 10 to 20 out of 100 people with long-term (chronic) viral hepatitis (mainly hepatitis B or C).

The doctor will start with a physical exam and questions about your symptoms and past health. If the doctor suspects cirrhosis, you may have blood tests and imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan. These tests can help your doctor find out what is causing the liver damage and how severe it is. To confirm that you have cirrhosis, the doctor may do a liver biopsy, using a needle to take a sample of liver tissue for testing.

Celebrex™ capsules should be introduced at a reduced dose in patients with moderate hepatic impairment. Patients with severe hepatic impairment have not been studied, therefore, the use of Celebrex™ in these patients is not recommended at this time.

This retention of fluids with a reduction in the synthesis of proteins can lead on to swelling of the legs (Oedema). The blood flow through the liver could be blocked causing alternate pathways to open up. This leads to dilatation of veins especially in the lower end of the food pipe (oesophagus). These veins can rupture causing massive bleeding. The liver can fail in its function of removing various poisons in the body causing altered behaviour patterns and eventually coma and death.

When the scarring of cirrhosis interferes with the flow of blood from the the stomach and intestines to the liver, a condition called portal hypertension may develop. This simply means that there is back pressure in the veins entering the liver. Surgical "shunting", or rerouting of blood away from the liver and into the general circulation can relieve this pressure, but it often causes a new set of problems.

Milk thistle is not intended to treat any condition or disease. It has been shown in clinical studies to protect liver cells from damage and help regenerate liver cells. Cirrhosis is generally considered an irreversible condition that can sometimes be slowed or halted depending upon the severity and cause. For example, cirrhosis caused by alcohol consumption can sometimes be stopped in its tracks by the complete removal of alcohol from the diet.

Pau D'Arco. It has been used as a panacea in South America for centuries. Research has shown that it contains a natural antibacterial agent, has a healing effect on the entire body... Bilirubin is measured as part of a routine blood test given during medical check-ups or when a person is hospitalized. Elevations in bilirubin cause jaundice and may indicate... Bilirubin, a product of hemoglobin metabolism, is conjugated in the liver and excreted in bile.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) is a disease of the bile ducts in the liver. In PBC the bile ducts become inflamed. The inflammation is chronic and eventually blocks and destroys bile ducts. If bile ducts are damaged, this affects the proper drainage of bile, a liquid substance produced by the liver that carries away waste and helps the digestive process. The bile backs up into the liver and blood causing various symptoms.

By taking Tian Xian Liquid in conjunction with Tian Xian Capsule No. 6, the liver functions may be strengthened to prevent against liver cancer. When improvement occurs, please take Vital Essential to maintain the condition of liver.

ANSWER: Access hepatic port every week. Flush with 10 cc 0.9% NaCl, followed by 5 cc 100 units/cc heparin. If medications or chemotherapy is given through port, flush port immediately after medication completion with same flush protocol.

Restricting the amount of protein in the diet has been used in the past but may cause further malnutrition. Most physicians will prescribe lactulose or neomycin for patients with this condition. Food to avoid: Shellfish, if uncooked, can be very dangerous for patients with cirrhosis. Either avoid shellfish or be careful to cook them thoroughly. Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria, can be contracted by eating raw oysters, etc.

Extra hepatic refers to symptoms that are not found in the liver itself. They are caused by the liver functioning being disturbed (even though the liver itself need not be diseased) and other organs being affected. Extra hepatic symptoms include; Psychological & cognitive problems ? anxiety, depression, mood swings, panic attacks, confusion, memory loss, poor concentration

Persons with cirrhosis often experience an uncomfortable buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) or a swelling of the feet, legs, or back (edema). Both conditions are a result of portal hypertension (increased pressure in the veins entering the liver). Since sodium (salt) encourages the body to retain water, patients with fluid retention can cut their sodium intake by avoiding such foods as canned soups and vegetables, cold cuts, dairy products, and condiments like mayonnaise and ketchup.