Cirrhosis of liver

My father age 59 years has been diagonosed for Cirrohsis of liver ; Child B.He does not have HepatitisA ,B,C D or E. He has never been an alcoholic and has been at best a occasional drinker. He never had a surgery or blood transfusion.We have not been able to do liver biopsy to find out the cause as it was not advisable due to the risk of bleeding.Endoscopy results are as under
Esophagus Grede III Eso Vx ; Stomuch Lco , Fo CGP (-) ; Duodnum D1,D2 -(N). Ultrasound indicates coarse echotexture and shrunken liver. Gall bladder Thick Walled. PV - 12 mm Splenomegaly ; Hilcen Collaterals (+) ; No ascites.
As of now he has only experienced swelling in the feet general weekness and loss of weight.We have initiated the process of Prophylactic bonding. My questions are as under
What are the possible causes of Cirrhosis in his case? Is there any treatment available for controlloing and eliminating furhter damage to liver? Is our line of action proper?

Sanjay Malik

[JYD]

Have him checked for hemochromotosis.

[imkindly]

Causes of Cirrhosis:
Cirrhosis has many causes. In the United States, chronic alcoholism and hepatitis C are the most common causes.

Alcoholic liver disease. To many people, cirrhosis of the liver is synonymous with chronic alcoholism, but in fact, alcoholism is only one of the causes. Alcoholic cirrhosis usually develops after more than a decade of heavy drinking. The amount of alcohol that can injure the liver varies greatly from person to person. In women, as few as two to three drinks per day have been linked with cirrhosis and in men, as few as three to four drinks per day. Alcohol seems to injure the liver by blocking the normal metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates.

Chronic hepatitis C. The hepatitis C virus ranks with alcohol as the major cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis in the United States. Infection with this virus causes inflammation of and low grade damage to the liver that over several decades can lead to cirrhosis.

Chronic hepatitis B and D. The hepatitis B virus is probably the most common cause of cirrhosis worldwide, but in the United States and Western world it is less common. Hepatitis B, like hepatitis C, causes liver inflammation and injury that over several decades can lead to cirrhosis. The hepatitis D virus is another virus that infects the liver, but only in people who already have hepatitis B.

Autoimmune hepatitis. This type of hepatitis is caused by a problem with the immune system.

Inherited diseases. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, galactosemia, and glycogen storage diseases are among the inherited diseases that interfere with the way the liver produces, processes, and stores enzymes, proteins, metals, and other substances the body needs to function properly.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In NASH, fat builds up in the liver and eventually causes scar tissue. This type of hepatitis appears to be associated with diabetes, protein malnutrition, obesity, coronary artery disease, and corticosteroid treatment.

Blocked bile ducts. When the ducts that carry bile out of the liver are blocked, bile backs up and damages liver tissue. In babies, blocked bile ducts are most commonly caused by biliary atresia, a disease in which the bile ducts are absent or injured. In adults, the most common cause is primary biliary cirrhosis, a disease in which the ducts become inflamed, blocked, and scarred. Secondary biliary cirrhosis can happen after gallbladder surgery, if the ducts are inadvertently tied off or injured.

Drugs, toxins, and infections. Severe reactions to prescription drugs, prolonged exposure to environmental toxins, the parasitic infection schistosomiasis, and repeated bouts of heart failure with liver congestion can each lead to cirrhosis.

PS--- I got this info at:
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/cirrhosi/cirrhosi.htm#symptoms

Hope this helps

[Theo26]

I might add to imkindly's post that typical crummy American diets have been implicated in the development of Cirrhosis, especially  sugar, processed foods and recently I read that excess consumption of soda beverages was found to cause it. Tylenol can hurt the liver especially if used too frequently or in conjunction with any alcohol. THere are other culprits. Do research. A far as healing, low fat diets with lots of fresh vegetables. And SAM-e has done wonders for many people with advanced liver disease (must take B vitamins when taking this, which is a good idea anyway for optimum health)and the combo of selenium, alpha lipoic acid and mile thistle (an herb). There finding out ursodial (Actigall) is helpful with regeneration in many liver disorders. Conventional docs are not too up on the nutritional options to reverse and retard liver damage, which is what Cirrhosis is. Use the internet. Research has been done that backs up al ot of these aforementioned claims. Medscape has a good gastroenterology site. A place called Life Extension also has posted a lot of good nutrional protocols for all sorts of conditions also. Pretty in depth. I'd start with the SAM-e. It's done wonders for me.

[alf401]

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