Doctor explains what can cause serious liver disease
Illustrative photo (Freepik)
Cirrhosis of the liver is a life-threatening and incurable condition where liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, forming cirrhotic nodules. There is a common belief that chronic alcoholism is the primary cause of cirrhosis.
But is alcohol always to blame for liver disease? Dr. Mykhailo Tsiurak explains more below.
Causes of liver cirrhosis
In fact, chronic alcoholism is just one of the causes, but there are others as well.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or steatohepatitis: This condition develops due to high cholesterol levels in the blood and poor diet. If left unchecked, steatohepatitis can progress to cirrhosis.
- Self-medication with toxic drugs for the liver, including uncontrolled consumption of dietary supplements: For instance, drugs like paracetamol, amiodarone, antiepileptic drugs, and statins can cause liver cell damage, known as toxic hepatitis, if taken improperly. If not detected in time, this can lead to cirrhosis.
- Chronic viral hepatitis C: Often referred to as the "silent killer," this disease initially presents with few symptoms. However, the virus continues its destructive work, and without treatment, hepatitis C can result in cirrhosis.
- Problems with bile ducts: Stagnation of bile in the liver due to gallstones or bile duct narrowing can lead to biliary cirrhosis, a specific form of cirrhosis caused by the toxic effects of bilirubin on liver cells.
- Drug abuse: Certain drugs can cause toxic hepatitis, which, without proper treatment, can lead to cirrhosis.
Mykhailo emphasized that the liver is a crucial organ with regenerative abilities. However, this ability is lost as cirrhosis develops. To prevent this, seek medical attention promptly.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
