Cirrhosis Treatment Cost in India

Symptoms of Cirrhosis

Individuals having Cirrhosis don’t have any obvious symptoms during the early stages. However, the most common signs which may occur includes-

1. Fatigue
2. Loss of weight and appetite
3. Yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes (jaundice) due to accumulation of bilirubin in the blood 
4. Spiderlike blood vessels on the skin
5. Itchy skin.
6. Easily bleeding or bruising

Diagnosis

Because there aren’t any obvious symptoms early on in the condition, cirrhosis is often diagnosed when the patient is being tested for some other condition or disease. However, the following tests may be ordered:

Blood test: 

• To check the presence of any enzymes indicating damage, excess bilirubin and assess creatinine levels (for liver and kidney).  
• To screen for hepatitis infections (mainly B and C), check blood clotting functionality (coagulation), a complete blood count / CBC (including an assessment of associated anaemia), and the measurement of albumin levels (can also be tested in urine), which may be reduced when the liver is damaged. 
• To evaluate abnormal elevations of ALT and AST liver enzymes which may suggest damage and inflammation, possibly elevated levels of iron and the presence of auto-antibodies (anti-smooth muscle antibody, anti-nuclear antibody, and anti-mitochondrial antibody).

Imaging tests: Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans are used to see whether the liver is enlarged and detect any scarring or nodules.
 

Biopsy: Tissue extraction for laboratory assessment to determine the extent, cause, and severity of damage to the liver (fibrosis).
 

Endoscopy: The doctor inserts a long, thin tube with a light and video camera at the end that goes through the esophagus and into the stomach. The doctor looks out for swollen blood vessels called varices that can be a sign of cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis treatment

It may depend on the reason and degree of liver damage and can include the following:

• Treatment for alcohol dependency: If the Cirrhosis is caused by long-term, regular heavy alcohol consumption, the doctor shall recommend a treatment program.  
• Medications: The patient may be prescribed drugs to control liver cell damage caused by hepatitis B or C.
•  The doctor may suggest blood tests and ultrasound exams examine for indications of liver disease.  
• To treat the syndrome of Hepatic encephalopathy the patient is prescribed ammonia reduction medication and antibiotics in order to remove toxic substances from the intestine.
• A liver transplant is a process that involves the removal of the liver that doesn’t function properly and replacing it with a healthy liver from a donor. It is kept as a last resort for the treatment.