A liver disease can lead to serious complications, including cirrhosis. Board-certified gastroenterologist Asif M. Qadri, MD, of Athens Digestive Healthcare Associates, located in Watkinsville, Georgia, offers evaluation and treatment for a liver disease and can help you recover or manage your condition. Call today or book an appointment online if you have symptoms of a liver disease or have received a confirmed diagnosis.
Liver diseases compromise liver function, such as protein production, blood clotting, energy production, and iron metabolism. The list of liver diseases includes hepatitis strains, such as B and C, as well as cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis occurs with untreated liver disease. Early intervention for a liver disease can help the liver restore full health. But, when a liver disease goes untreated, hard scar tissue replaces healthy tissue — causing cirrhosis. Certain diseases and some medications can damage your liver, but the most common causes of cirrhosis include:
Without treatment, cirrhosis can lead to liver failure and increase your risk of developing liver cancer.
Some of the most common forms of hepatitis are hepatitis B, and C. Hepatitis B is transferred through contact with bodily fluids, such as blood or semen, that contain the virus.
Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected fluids — usually via intravenous (IV) drug use (sharing needles) or sexual intercourse.
When you reach advanced stage liver disease, you experience symptoms such as:
If a liver disease worsens and the organ starts to fail, toxins build up in your blood that can reach your brain and cause confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech. You may also develop high blood pressure in the portal vein, which causes fluids to build up in your abdomen (ascites) and enlarged blood vessels called esophageal varices.
Antiviral drugs treat hepatitis B and C. The damage done by cirrhosis is irreversible, but you can stop the further progression with support from Dr. Qadri. Interventions include:
Any underlying conditions contributing to your liver damage, such as viral hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and hemochromatosis, will be addressed. Your liver also improves with a healthy balanced diet and losing weight if needed.
If you have a liver disease, consult Athens Digestive Healthcare Associates by phone or book online for an appointment.
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