Liver Cirrhosis in Texas
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Find a ProviderWhat is liver cirrhosis?
The liver is an organ that performs many crucial duties necessary for your health, including filtering the blood of harmful toxins and breaking down fat. Cirrhosis of the liver, also called hepatic cirrhosis, is a medical condition where the liver becomes inflamed and scarred from issues like late-stage liver disease and alcoholism. As more and more scar tissue develops, liver function continually declines—the different grades of severity surrounding liver cirrhosis break down into four separate stages.
Stage 1: There is some liver scarring but not a lot of symptoms and no complications.
Stage 2: Additional symptoms present, including swollen and enlarged veins and hypertension in the portal vein around the liver (known as portal hypertension).
Stage 3: Symptoms in this stage include abdominal swelling and advanced scarring of liver tissue, accompanied by serious complications and possibly liver failure.
Stage 4: This stage of liver cirrhosis can lead to death without a liver transplant.
Our gastroenterology providers at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants can identify, address, and help you manage liver problems. To get help for liver cirrhosis in Texas, request an appointment at a location near you today. Request a consultation for more information.
What causes liver cirrhosis?
Several factors can cause liver damage, which can lead to the development of cirrhosis. These can include:
- Obesity
- Certain medications
- Chronic alcohol abuse
- Wilson’s disease
- Abnormal formation of bile ducts
- Cystic fibrosis
- Viral liver infections (hepatitis B & C)
- Sugar metabolism disorders
- Destruction of the bile ducts
- Liver disease caused by autoimmune hepatitis
- Inherited digestive disorders
- Infection
- Iron accumulation in the body
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
If you start developing liver issues and require help, partner with our gastroenterology providers at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants. Our knowledge and experience can lead you toward the ideal options for individualized treatment.
What are common signs of liver cirrhosis?
The initial stages of liver cirrhosis may not present with any symptoms. However, the first indicators include tiredness, weakness, and decreased appetite. As the condition continues to progress, the signs could involve:
- Cramping of muscles
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes
- Red palms
- Swollen legs
- Vomiting
- Bleed or bruise easily
- Veins that are spider web-like in appearance
- Itchiness
- Nausea or queasiness
- Fever
- Swollen abdomen
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Blood in the stool
- Brown-colored urine
What are the treatment options for liver cirrhosis?
Liver damage generally cannot be undone; however, it can still work even if two-thirds of the organ has been excised (removed) or damaged. Listed below are several of the treatment strategies the Texas Digestive Disease Consultants providers might recommend to increase the liver's capacity to function:
- Liver transplant
- Antiviral medications for hepatitis B and C
- Prevention of additional damage to the liver
- Managing the particular issues surrounding your cirrhosis
- Vaccination for hepatitis A and B
- Avoid taking certain medications (such as naproxen, ibuprofen, etc.)
Are there any complications of liver cirrhosis?
A patient's liver is responsible for an essential job in the body, and any damage suffered by the liver will inhibit its ability to work normally. Potential complications of liver cirrhosis involve:
- Bacterial peritonitis (inflammation of the abdomen wall)
- Hepatic encephalopathy (the accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream causing brain damage)
- Hypersplenism (overactive splenic function)
- Liver cancer
Advanced treatment for liver health
Cirrhosis of the liver can affect your life and health in several ways. At Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, we aim to help you experience a life in which we can avert further damage to the liver. To receive treatment for liver cirrhosis in Texas, please request a consultation with one of our skilled providers today.
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The 10 year screening was smooth sailing. Dr Bracy and staff were a pleasure to work with and made me very comfortable throughout. I recommend his team if you need this medical checkup.
I’ve been visiting Dr. Ganeshappa for a couple of years and he’s always been so helpful and patient. He is always willing to answer any questions you may have and doesn’t rush you. He has helped me so much and I have seen great progress in my condition.
Dr.Yang is a great doctor who takes the time to listen to your concerns and makes sure you understand what needs to be done to take care of the problem.
I have been seeing Dr. Gentry as my Prod-tologist for over 12 years. His professional, common sense advice and humor has kept me safe, healthy and a longtime patient. I have referred friends in the past and will continue to so in the future.
EXCELLENT bedside manner! He cares, and is very knowledgeable and takes excellent care of my 79 hear- old dad with liver cirrhosis. Dad first was treated by him during an urgent hospitalization. Dad had developed hepatic encephalopathy from his cirrhosis. He could hardly speak, couldn't feed himself and was extremely confused and unable to function mentally and physically. I thought he was in his last days and would never be the same. Dr. Owen figured out all Dad's symptoms were due to encephalopathy. He got it treated and dad made a remarkable turnaround - he was like his old self when he was released from the hospital. Dad liked Dr. Owen so much that we decided to continue using him as his specialist. He takes his time during our office visits. He never makes us feel like he's rushing.... he gives his FULL attention. I couldn't recommend him more!!!
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