Can second stage cirrhosis be cured?

Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 10, 2025
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No form of cirrhosis can be cured, but it is possible to alleviate the condition, control it, and slow its progression through medication.

Therefore, once diagnosed with cirrhosis, it is essential to understand the type of cirrhosis, which means making an accurate diagnosis. If it is hepatitis B or C related cirrhosis, active antiviral medication should be taken orally to quickly control and slow the progression of the disease; for alcoholic liver, it is advised to abstain from alcohol strictly; if the condition is severe and irreversible, liver transplant surgery could be considered.

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Written by Si Li Li
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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.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
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Do people with cirrhosis and their family members need to use separate bowls and chopsticks when eating?

Patients with cirrhosis and their family members do not necessarily have to use separate bowls and chopsticks when eating. The causes of cirrhosis include infectious and non-infectious cirrhosis. Among infectious cirrhosis, some are transmitted through blood and others through fecal-oral transmission. Only diseases transmitted via the fecal-oral route require separate bowls and chopsticks, such as hepatitis A and hepatitis E. These types require separation from family members during meals. However, hepatitis B, or some non-infectious types such as alcoholic hepatitis, do not require the use of separate eating utensils.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Is early-stage cirrhosis easy to detect?

Early-stage liver cirrhosis can be detected through abdominal ultrasound examinations or blood tests, such as liver function tests, liver fibrosis quartet tests, or transient elastography of the liver. Once early-stage liver cirrhosis is diagnosed, further diagnostic tests are necessary to promptly determine the underlying causes of liver cirrhosis, allowing for causal and symptomatic treatment to begin as soon as possible. After the onset of liver cirrhosis, it is crucial to regularly complete abdominal ultrasound examinations and gastroscopy to check for the presence of complications such as ascites or bleeding from esophagogastric varices, among others.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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What are the complications of late-stage liver cirrhosis?

Late-stage cirrhosis can lead to many complications, such as bleeding from esophageal and gastric varices, which is one of the more common and severe complications of cirrhosis. Other complications include spontaneous peritonitis, liver cancer, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, portal vein thrombosis, and symptoms like ascites, palmar erythema, and spider angiomas. Additionally, there may be symptoms such as dark skin or hyperpigmentation and jaundice. Once cirrhosis is diagnosed, timely intervention and treatment are necessary to delay the progression of the disease.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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What items are rechecked in the early stages of cirrhosis?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, it is essential to first re-examine liver function, including transaminases, albumin, total protein, and bilirubin. This is very important. Additionally, it is necessary to recheck the complete blood count to monitor the number of white blood cells and platelets. Another important assessment is a liver ultrasound to observe whether the liver surface is smooth, the width of the portal vein, the presence of portal hypertension, and whether the spleen is enlarged. Furthermore, a re-examination of coagulation function to check for any changes is crucial. In the early stages of liver disease, these are the primary examinations that should suffice. Based on the results, the severity of the condition should be determined. When necessary, in cases of viral-induced cirrhosis such as hepatitis B or C, aggressive antiviral symptomatic treatment should be administered.