What is Sclerosis of the Liver

A healthy liver benefits the body by regenerating most of the damaged cells, but due to sclerosis of liver, the liver becomes inefficient in replacing these damaged cells. Let's have a closer look at what is sclerosis of the liver.

What is Sclerosis of the Liver?

Sclerosis of the liver, also known as cirrhosis occurs when scar tissues or regenerative nodules form in the liver and start replacing healthy tissues. Due to this scar tissue formation, the liver losses its ability to produce proteins that regulate blood clotting, control and fight infections, filter blood by removing bacteria and toxins, digest food, store energy, and produce bile that absorbs fats including cholesterol and fat-soluble vitamins.

Causes For Sclerosis of the Liver

Sclerosis of the liver is not caused by trauma or acute or short-term damage to the liver. It mainly occurs due to a chronic disease or injury left untreated for a long time. Following are some more causes for liver sclerosis:

• Drinking too much alcohol
• Obesity
• Chronic Hepatitis B, C or D, infects the liver of the person and can lead to cirrhosis
• Auto immune hepatitis, condition in which body’s immune system attacks the liver cells, causing inflammation, damage, and eventually cirrhosis
• Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis, disorder in which fat gets deposited in the liver and causes liver inflammation
• Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals, drug reactions, parasitic infections, etc
• Having certain inherited diseases like hemochromatosis, Cystic fibrosis, Wilson's disease or Protoporhyria
• Blockage or damage of the bile ducts, causing the bile to back up in the liver and leading to cirrhosis

Symptoms of Sclerosis of the Liver

Usually, no symptoms are observed during the initial stages of the disease. But as it progresses, the patient may experience the following symptoms:

• Weakness and fatigue
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain and bloating due to fluid accumulates in the abdomen
• Itching
• Spider-like blood vessels on the skin

Diagnose and Treatment

The diagnosis of sclerosis of the liver is usually confirmed by physical examination, blood tests, and imaging. During the evaluation, the doctor may ask about the patient's medical history and examine the medical signs experienced by the patient. The doctor may also ask the patient to go through a computerized tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood test or liver scan, as this will help him to have a close view and evaluation of the signs of liver enlargement, reduced blood flow and ascites. For better diagnosing, the doctor may insert a laparoscope in the abdomen or can even perform a liver biopsy in which a needle is inserted between the ribs or into a vein in the neck.

Malnutrition is commonly observed in people suffering from sclerosis of the liver, hence, a healthy diet is essential during all stages of the disease. The patient should follow a well balanced meal plan recommended by the doctor or health care providers. The patient should avoid eating raw shellfish, as it can cause serious bacterial infection and should follow a sodium restricted diet. To improve the body's nutrient intake, fruits, juices and liquid supplements can be consumed. Since alcohol is considered to be one of the major cause of the disease, its intake should not be encouraged as it will cause more damage to the liver. Oral and intravenous antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent severe infection. For treating sclerosis of the liver due to any type of hepatitis, interferon, corticosteroid and other antiviral drugs are usually prescribed.

The treatment for sclerosis of liver mainly depends upon the cause of the disease, symptoms observed and various complications associated with it. The main aim of the treatment is to slow the progression of scar tissues in the liver. The disease affects men slightly more often than women and can be fatal if not treated on time. I am sure by now you must be having a fair idea of what is sclerosis of the liver and the different parameters related to it.