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Cirrhosis
Can cirrhosis cause shoulder pain?
Generally speaking, patients with cirrhosis do not experience shoulder pain. Cirrhosis can cause abdominal pain, bloating, an increase in abdominal girth, and in severe cases, symptoms such as swelling of the lower limbs, jaundice, dark urine, and yellowing of the sclera may occur. There is also the possibility of hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, and other manifestations. Additionally, if there is severe portal hypertension and the patient consumes coarse food, or engages in vigorous physical activity, there may be a risk of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which can endanger the patient's life. If a patient experiences shoulder pain, it could be caused by gallbladder disease, or potentially muscle strain, among other reasons. Further comprehensive auxiliary examinations are needed to clarify the diagnosis.
Is fatty liver pain indicative of liver cirrhosis?
Pain from fatty liver does not necessarily mean that the patient has progressed to cirrhosis. To determine whether it is due to cirrhosis, imaging tests, assessments of liver fibrosis through four specific tests, or measuring the liver's transient elastography should be conducted. It is also necessary to consider the patient's clinical symptoms and physical examinations. Pain in the liver area due to fatty liver might be caused by an enlarged liver after fat accumulation, which can irritate the liver capsule and cause pain. This requires a specific analysis based on the individual's situation. Treatment for fatty liver should actively involve abstaining from alcohol, reducing blood lipids, and engaging in appropriate exercise.
Does cirrhosis have anything to do with bleeding gums?
Cirrhosis and bleeding gums are somewhat related. Bleeding gums may be due to the decreased coagulation function in patients with cirrhosis, resulting in prolonged coagulation time, which may induce bleeding gums. Of course, bleeding gums might not be caused by cirrhosis; they could be due to tartar, gingivitis, or other diseases, perhaps even hematological disorders or a reduction in platelets caused by cirrhosis. These situations require specific analysis based on the individual case. After experiencing bleeding gums, it is necessary to further undergo comprehensive routine blood tests and coagulation profile tests, and a visit to the dental department is also needed to determine if the bleeding is caused by oral diseases.
Does a decreasing platelet count in cirrhosis indicate that the condition is getting more severe?
Liver cirrhosis with increasingly low platelet counts indicates that the condition is becoming more severe. This decline in platelets suggests a more advanced stage of liver cirrhosis, manifesting as significant splenic hyperfunction and splenomegaly. Patients with liver cirrhosis and decreasing platelets may experience spontaneous bleeding, which requires attention. If necessary, surgical intervention such as splenectomy or splenic embolization may be required, along with platelet transfusion treatment. For complications associated with liver cirrhosis, further refinements in gastroscopic examination are needed to determine the presence of portal hypertensive gastropathy or esophagogastric varices. If varices are present, prophylactic banding or sclerotherapy may be needed.
What are the manifestations on the face in the early stage of cirrhosis?
If a patient has liver cirrhosis, whether it is caused by hepatitis B, hepatitis C, drug-induced, or alcoholic liver cirrhosis, the first sign is that the complexion of the patient becomes dull and darkens with the progression of the disease, due to the liver's reduced capacity to inactivate hormones within the body. In the early stages of liver cirrhosis, spider nevi may appear on the face. When these changes occur, it is advisable to visit a hospital for further routine blood tests, and to undergo ultrasonography of the liver, gallbladder, and spleen to check for early signs of cirrhosis. In early cirrhosis, there may be a reduction in white blood cells and platelets. Ultrasonography of the liver can show an enlarged spleen, hyperactive function, and check whether the portal vein is widened or if there are signs of portal hypertension, all of which are helpful for the early detection of liver cirrhosis.
Does early-stage cirrhosis cause bad breath?
Patients with early-stage liver cirrhosis may also experience bad breath. This can be due to functional dyspepsia, characterized by slower gastrointestinal motility leading to bad breath. For such symptoms, consideration can be given to oral medications that regulate intestinal flora and promote digestion. If the patient also experiences symptoms like abdominal bloating, belching, acid reflux, or heartburn, medications that enhance gastrointestinal motility and inhibit stomach acid secretion can be used for treatment. Patients in the early stages of liver cirrosis also need regular medical follow-ups, including gastroscopy, imaging studies of the liver like ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and routine blood tests to detect any complications of liver cirrhosis early and prevent exacerbation that could endanger the patient's life.
Causes of liver area pain in the early stage of cirrhosis
The liver itself does not have pain nerves, so it cannot feel pain. However, the surface of the liver is covered by a very thin capsule, which protects the liver and separates it from other organs. The capsule of the liver is rich in sensory nerves, and any stimulation can cause pain. Cirrhosis is mainly due to the necrosis and regeneration of the liver, thus altering its shape. The capsule of the liver is stretched, which can lead to pain in the liver area. Similarly, during hepatitis, the liver may swell, stretching the liver capsule, and thus causing feelings of distension and pain.
Does cirrhosis cause hemoptysis?
Cirrhosis is a digestive system disease, commonly seen in hepatitis B cirrhosis, hepatitis C cirrhosis, or alcoholic cirrhosis. In the late stages of cirrhosis, many complications may occur, the most common being hepatic ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by cirrhosis entails vomiting blood rather than coughing up blood, which is generally seen in respiratory diseases such as bronchiectasis or tuberculosis, which are common causes of coughing up blood. Therefore, when there is a major episode of vomiting blood due to cirrhosis-induced upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is urgent to go to the hospital for intravenous blood transfusion. If necessary, a gastroscopy should be performed, and during this procedure, a vascular ligation technique may be used for hemostasis in symptomatic treatment.
Can cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B be cured by taking Chinese medicine?
Liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B cannot be completely cured by Chinese medicine, as the main cause is the presence of the hepatitis B virus. Therefore, antiviral medications are necessary for treatment. Only by eradicating the hepatitis B virus can the patient's cirrhosis be effectively controlled. Certainly, Chinese medicine from traditional practices does have confirmed effects on treating hepatitis B-induced liver cirrhosis, but it cannot completely cure cirrhosis; it can only slow its progression. Hence, once a patient is diagnosed with hepatitis B cirrhosis, it is crucial to actively use antiviral medications for treatment, typically opting for drugs such as entecavir, telbivudine, or tenofovir. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
What foods are good for cirrhosis?
The usual diet plays a crucial role for patients with cirrhosis, and it has been confirmed that nutritional therapy is very important for reducing mortality and disability rates in patients with cirrhosis. Generally speaking, easily digestible, high-vitamin nutritional foods should be the main source of food, alcohol must be strictly prohibited, and consumption of vegetables and fruits should be increased. Salt intake can be controlled, and adjustments should be made according to different changes in the condition. Another point to note is that patients with esophageal and gastric varices must avoid consuming hard and rough food, as this could lead to rupture of the varices and cause severe bleeding.