Did you know that it is hard to tell when the liver is being damaged by the amount of alcohol you are consuming until you start experiencing symptoms of liver cirrhosis? For this reason, limiting the amount of alcohol you consume is essential because it might damage your liver, and you might seek treatment when it is too late and complications have already kicked in. In this case, your liver is severely damaged, and all that is left is the management of complications. Therefore, if you or your relative is in the end stages of liver San Antonio Cirrhosis, you should seek various ways of managing the complications. Outlined below are some of the ways you can manage cirrhosis complications.
· Swollen or bleeding veins
Advanced cirrhosis causes the veins of your esophagus or stomach to swell, commonly referred to as gastric or esophageal varices. Endoscopy is often performed to help diagnose gastric or esophageal varices. If the varices are present, your care provider prescribes beta-blockers such as propranolol to prevent them from bleeding and control bleeding if they are bleeding. Variceal hemorrhage, which presents blood in stool or vomit, shows that your varices are bleeding and urgent treatment is needed.
· Accumulation of fluid in the legs and tummy
Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen is referred to as ascites, while the build-up of fluid in your ankles or legs is called peripheral edema. The two are common complications of liver cirrhosis, and the treatment recommended is cutting out salt from your diet. Furosemide or spironolactone is also prescribed to help your urinary system get rid of excess fluid in the body, thus reducing fluid build-up in the named body parts. In severe ascites, your care provider may require the fluid to be drained from your tummy using a tube.
· Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy is a concern affecting the functioning of your brain. It can also be evident in people with liver cirrhosis, including feeling sleepy, confused, and having concentration problems. The main cause of encephalopathy in people with cirrhosis is that the liver cannot clear toxins appropriately. People with encephalopathy are given lactulose syrup, a laxative that helps clear toxins from your body. You may also be required to take rifaximin, an antibiotic to prevent infection.
· Bleeding
Liver cirrhosis can also interfere with the production of clotting factors in your body, reducing the ability of your blood to clot after a cut. In these cases, you experience severe bleeding after a cut or during dental work or procedure. Plasma is always given to treat or prevent bleeding.
· Liver transplant
A liver transplant is often recommended when your liver is severely damaged beyond repair. It is a major operation that involves removing the damaged liver and replacing it with a healthy one. You might be required to wait for a long time before a suitable match is available. You will also need to stop alcohol consumption for six months before receiving a new liver.
Are you experiencing the complications of liver cirrhosis and do not know how to manage them? Call Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio PLLC today and inquire what you should do depending on your complications. You can also schedule an appointment to review your complications with the physician.
