Chronic liver disease in the clinical context is a disease process of the liver that involves a process of progressive destruction and regeneration of the liver parenchyma leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Chronic liver disease lasts over a period of six months. Inflammation (chronic hepatitis), liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Progressive destruction of the liver
- May be asymptomatic in early or mild cases
- Build-up of fluid in abdomen - ascites
- Enlarged breasts in men
- Coughing blood
- Vomiting blood
- Impaired nerve functions
- Itching
- Gallstones
- Involuntary curving of fingers
- Hair loss
- Jaundice
- Yellowing of skin
- Yellowing of whites of eyes
- Loss of muscle tissue
- Reduced appetite
- Kidney failure
- Portal hypertension
- Red palms
- Clubbing
- Shrunken liver
- Anemia
- Distended veins in abdomen
- Shrunken testicles
- Development of spider-veins in skin
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Unusual breath odour- sweet, pungent
- Asterixis
- Hypogonadism
- Reduced libido
- Reduced fertility
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Blood tests
- Imaging including ultrasound
- The liver biopsy
Chronic Liver Disease is treated by a Hepatologist / Gastroenterologist.
The treatment of chronic liver disease depends on the cause. Specific conditions may be treated with medications including corticosteroids, interferon, antivirals, bile acids or other drugs. Supportive therapies for complications of cirrhosis include diuretics, albumin, vitamin K, blood products, antibiotics and nutritional therapy. Other patients may require surgery.
