Liver Cirrhosis in San Antonio, TX
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Find a ProviderWhat is liver cirrhosis?
The liver is an important organ that performs a number of crucial duties necessary for health, such as metabolizing fat and filtering harmful toxins from the blood. Liver cirrhosis, also known as hepatic cirrhosis, describes the condition that can arise when the liver is inflamed and scarred from issues such as late-stage liver disease and alcoholism. As additional scar tissue develops, the functionality of the liver continually diminishes. The various levels of severity surrounding liver cirrhosis are broken down into four separate stages as follows:
Stage 1: Some scarring of the liver but there are not many symptoms and no complications.
Stage 2: More symptoms begin to develop, such as enlarged and swollen veins and high blood pressure involving the portal vein around the liver (referred to as portal hypertension).
Stage 3: Symptoms in this stage involve advanced scarring of the liver and swelling in the abdomen, along with significant complications and possibly liver failure.
Stage 4: At this stage, the condition can be deadly without a liver transplant.
At San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates, our providers can identify, address, and help patients manage liver issues. To find treatment for liver cirrhosis in San Antonio, TX, please request a consultation at a location near you today.
What causes liver cirrhosis?
There are an array of factors that can damage the liver and eventually lead to cirrhosis. These can include:
- Sugar metabolism disorders
- Obesity
- Alcohol use disorder
- Genetic digestive conditions
- Iron accumulation in the body
- Infection
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Certain medications
- Destruction of the bile ducts
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Abnormal formation of bile ducts
- Cystic fibrosis
- Liver disease caused by autoimmune hepatitis
- Wilson’s disease
- Viral liver infections (hepatitis B & C)
If you start to experience liver concerns and require assistance, reach out to our GI providers at one of our San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates locations. Our skill and expertise can guide you in the right options for reliable treatment.
What are common symptoms of liver cirrhosis?
The early stages of liver cirrhosis may not carry any symptoms. However, in the early stages of liver cirrhosis, you may begin to feel exhausted, physically week, or experience a loss of appetite. As the liver condition progresses, some of the signs could include:
- Redness of the palms
- Blood in the stool
- Swelling in the legs
- Nausea
- Cramping of muscles
- Itching
- Swollen abdomen
- Brownish urine
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Bruise or bleed easily
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Spider web-like veins
- Vomiting
What are the treatment options for liver cirrhosis?
Damage and scarring to the liver cannot be cured but it can often still function properly, even in the event that up to two-thirds of the liver has been excised (removed) or damaged. Here are several of the treatment options the San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates providers might recommend to help improve the liver's ability to function:
- Targeting the particular concerns surrounding your condition
- Liver transplant
- Antiviral medications for hepatitis B and C
- Reduce the risk of additional damage to the liver
- Avoid taking certain medications (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
- Immunization for hepatitis A and B
Are there any complications of liver cirrhosis?
Your liver maintains a key role in the body, and any amount of damage or injury suffered by the liver will negatively impact its ability to function normally. Some of the potential health complications of liver cirrhosis are:
- Bacterial peritonitis (an inflamed abdominal wall)
- Hypersplenism (overactive splenic function)
- Hepatic encephalopathy (an accumulation of toxins in the blood causing brain damage)
- Liver cancer
Find specialized treatment for liver health
Liver cirrhosis can impact your health and wellness in a number of aspects. At San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates, we endeavor to help you experience a life in which further damage to the liver is averted. To receive care for liver cirrhosis in San Antonio, TX, request an appointment with one of our skilled providers without delay.
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Professional, friendly, easy to discuss issues with about my health. Takes the time to listen and explain why health issue could be happening, and will take the necessary steps to help with issues of my health.. .
(Translated by Google) All the staff are very friendly and very professional, Dr. Guerra is very professional and kind Thank you for everything (Original) Todo el personal es muy amable y muy profesional, el doctor Guerra es muy profesional y amable Gracias por todo
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My experience with Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio has always been positive. Organized, friendly and the people who work there do a great job treating you like you’re their only patient.. The appointments ran on time, the intake was organized and timely.
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