hepatic encephalopathy
According to cnn.com...
Cirrhosis is a condition that causes irreversible scarring of the liver. As scar tissue replaces normal tissue, blood flow through your liver is
affected. This makes it increasingly difficult for your liver to carry out essential functions, such as detoxifying harmful substances, purifying your blood and manufacturing vital nutrients.
Cirrhosis rarely causes signs and symptoms in its early stages. But as liver function deteriorates, you may experience fatigue, exhaustion, nausea, unintended weight loss and swelling in your legs and abdomen. In time, jaundice - a yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes - and intense itching can develop.
Alcoholism and chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus are the leading causes of cirrhosis. But other factors - including damaged bile ducts, immune system problems and prolonged exposure to certain environmental toxins - can cause liver scarring, too.
Although liver damage from cirrhosis is irreversible, the disease usually progresses slowly and symptoms are often controllable. Specific treatment for cirrhosis depends on the underlying cause, but anyone with cirrhosis must avoid alcohol and other substances that harm the liver. When damage is so severe that liver function is seriously impaired, a liver transplant may be the only option.
Furthermore...
Because cirrhosis disrupts the normal function of your liver, it can cause a number of serious complications:
What they don't mention is that it's a real bummer when it's happening to your dad.
Cirrhosis is a condition that causes irreversible scarring of the liver. As scar tissue replaces normal tissue, blood flow through your liver is
affected. This makes it increasingly difficult for your liver to carry out essential functions, such as detoxifying harmful substances, purifying your blood and manufacturing vital nutrients.
Cirrhosis rarely causes signs and symptoms in its early stages. But as liver function deteriorates, you may experience fatigue, exhaustion, nausea, unintended weight loss and swelling in your legs and abdomen. In time, jaundice - a yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes - and intense itching can develop.
Alcoholism and chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus are the leading causes of cirrhosis. But other factors - including damaged bile ducts, immune system problems and prolonged exposure to certain environmental toxins - can cause liver scarring, too.
Although liver damage from cirrhosis is irreversible, the disease usually progresses slowly and symptoms are often controllable. Specific treatment for cirrhosis depends on the underlying cause, but anyone with cirrhosis must avoid alcohol and other substances that harm the liver. When damage is so severe that liver function is seriously impaired, a liver transplant may be the only option.
Furthermore...
Because cirrhosis disrupts the normal function of your liver, it can cause a number of serious complications:
- Increased pressure in the portal vein. Blood from your intestine, spleen and pancreas enters your liver through a large blood vessel called the portal vein. If scar tissue blocks normal circulation through the liver, this blood backs up, leading to increased pressure within the vein (portal hypertension).
- Enlarged veins (varices). When circulation through the portal vein is blocked, blood may back up into other blood vessels - mainly those in your stomach and esophagus. Sometimes veins also form around your navel and at the rectum. The blood vessels are thin-walled, and because they're filled with more blood than they're meant to carry, are likely to bleed. Massive bleeding in the upper stomach or esophagus from these blood vessels is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical care.
- Fluid retention. Liver disease can cause large amounts of fluid to accumulate in your legs (edema) and abdominal cavity (ascites). Edema is especially common in alcoholic cirrhosis. Several factors play a role, including portal hypertension and changes in the hormones and chemicals that regulate fluids in your body. Ascites can be uncomfortable and may interfere with breathing. In addition, abdominal fluid may become infected (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) and require treatment with antibiotics. Although not life-threatening in itself, ascites is usually a sign of advanced cirrhosis.
- Bruising and bleeding. Cirrhosis interferes with the production of proteins that help your blood clot and with the absorption of vitamin K, which plays a role in synthesizing these proteins. As a result you may bruise and bleed more easily than normal. Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract is particularly common.
- Jaundice. This occurs when your liver isn't able to remove bilirubin - the residue of old red blood cells - from your blood. Eventually, bilirubin builds up and is deposited in your skin and the whites of your eyes, causing a yellow color. Excreted bilirubin may turn your urine dark brown and your stools a pale clay color.
- Itching. Bile salts deposited in your skin can cause intense itching.
- Hepatic encephalopathy. A liver damaged by cirrhosis has trouble removing toxins from your body - normally one of the liver's key tasks. The buildup of toxins such as ammonia - a byproduct of protein digestion - can damage your brain, leading to changes in your mental state, behavior and personality (hepatic encephalopathy). Symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy include forgetfulness, confusion and mood changes, and in advanced cases, delirium and coma.
- Weak bones (osteoporosis). Cirrhosis interferes with your liver's ability to process vitamin D and calcium, both of which are essential for bone growth and health. As a result, weak, brittle bones and bone loss are a common complication of the disease. Taking calcium and vitamin D may help prevent osteoporosis.
- Liver cancer. Cirrhosis can increase the risk of liver cancer, which occurs when malignant cells begin growing in the tissues of your liver.
- Liver failure. This occurs when extensive damage to liver cells makes it impossible for your liver to function
What they don't mention is that it's a real bummer when it's happening to your dad.