Liver Cirrhosis in Lubbock, TX
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Find a ProviderWhat is liver cirrhosis?
Your liver performs a variety of important functions necessary for your health, including filtering harmful toxins from the blood and breaking down fat. Liver cirrhosis, also called hepatic cirrhosis, describes the disease where the liver is inflamed and scarred from issues like late-stage liver disease and alcoholism. As more scar tissue forms, the ability of the liver to function properly continues to decline. The different levels of severity surrounding liver cirrhosis are sorted into four stages.
Stage 1: Some scarring of liver tissue but there are not a lot of symptoms and no complications have occurred.
Stage 2: More symptoms present, such as swollen and enlarged veins and hypertension in the portal vein in the liver (known as portal hypertension).
Stage 3: Symptoms in this stage involve swelling in the abdomen and advanced scarring of liver tissue, along with significant complications and possibly liver failure.
Stage 4: This stage of liver cirrhosis can lead to death in the absence of a liver transplant.
At Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates , our gastroenterology team can identify, treat, and help patients manage liver conditions. To find help for liver cirrhosis in Lubbock, TX, request a consultation with a member of our team today.
What are the causes of liver cirrhosis?
There are several factors that can cause liver damage, which can lead to the development of cirrhosis. These factors can include:
- Damage to the bile ducts
- Liver disease caused by autoimmune hepatitis
- Genetic GI conditions
- Cystic fibrosis
- Excessive body fat
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Alcohol use disorder
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Infection
- Iron accumulation in the body
- Abnormal formation of bile ducts
- Viral liver infections (hepatitis B & C)
- Sugar metabolism disorders
- Certain medications
- Wilson’s disease
If you start to experience liver concerns and need care, connect with the gastroenterologists at a Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates in your community. Our skill and expertise can guide you toward the best direction for personalized care.
What are common signs of liver cirrhosis?
The initial stages of liver cirrhosis may not present with any symptoms. However, the initial signs that you might notice include lethargy, weakness, and appetite loss. When the condition continues to advance, some of the signs might include:
- Swelling in the legs
- Spider web-like veins
- Muscle cramps
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Jaundice yellowing of the eyes/skin
- Itching
- Bleed or bruise easily
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Nausea
- Fever
- Red palms
- Blood in the stool
- Brownish urine
- Vomiting
What are the available treatment options for liver cirrhosis?
Liver scarring and damage cannot be reversed; however, the liver can often still function even if two-thirds has been removed or destroyed. Here are several of the treatments our Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates providers may recommend to enhance the liver's ability to function:
- Addressing the individual concerns surrounding your condition
- Immunization for hepatitis A and B
- Avoid taking certain medications (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
- Liver transplant procedure
- Prevention of additional damage to the liver
- Antiviral medications for hepatitis B and C
Are there any complications of liver cirrhosis?
A patient's liver carries out key roles in the body, and any level of damage or injury suffered by the liver will negatively impact its ability to function as normal. Some of the potential health complications related to liver cirrhosis include:
- Cancer of the liver
- Bacterial peritonitis (an inflamed abdominal wall)
- Hepatic encephalopathy (a buildup of toxins in the blood resulting in brain damage)
- Hypersplenism (an overactive spleen)
Personalized care for liver cirrhosis
Scarring of the liver can impact your life and health in a variety of ways. At Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates , we want to help you avoid further liver damage so that you can live a healthy, fulfilled life. To get treatment for liver cirrhosis in Lubbock, TX, please request a consultation with a member of our team today.
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Dr Miller is very thorough , not to mention friendly and down to earth.
Very compassionate and caring.
I was very comfortable with sharing my concerns with Dr. Miller. I highly recommend his care to anyone. I was very pleased with his care.
Dr. Jabor and his staff are professional and friendly. They are very efficient. After I checked in, I sat in the lobby for less than five minutes and was called in to see the doctor. Dr. Jabor is a wonderful, knowledgeable, and compassionate physician. He takes time to answer questions. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Jabor!
The Dr is so friendly and listens to exactly what you’re saying and wants to treat you for those issues! He’s very kind!
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