Liver Cirrhosis in Connecticut
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Find a ProviderWhat is liver cirrhosis?
The liver is a bodily organ that carries out many essential functions necessary for health, like breaking down fat and filtering harmful toxins from the blood. Cirrhosis of the liver, also known as hepatic cirrhosis, describes the condition when the liver becomes inflamed and scarred from issues like alcoholism and late-stage liver disease. As additional scar tissue develops, liver function continually diminishes. The different grades of severity involving liver cirrhosis are broken down into four individual stages.
Stage 1: Some scarring of liver tissue, but there are not a lot of symptoms and no complications.
Stage 2: Further symptoms begin to arise, such as swollen and enlarged veins and hypertension involving the portal vein around the liver (portal hypertension).
Stage 3: Symptoms include swelling in the abdomen and advanced scarring of liver tissue, along with significant complications and possibly liver failure.
Stage 4: At this stage, liver cirrhosis can be deadly without a liver transplant.
At Connecticut GI, our gastroenterology providers can identify, treat, and help you manage liver problems. To find help for liver cirrhosis in Connecticut, please request a consultation with us today.
What are the causes of liver cirrhosis?
There are several factors that can cause liver scarring, which may lead to the development of cirrhosis. These factors can involve:
- Viral liver infections (hepatitis B & C)
- Poorly formed bile ducts
- Chronic alcoholism
- Cystic fibrosis
- Wilson’s disease
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Sugar metabolism disorders
- Certain medications
- Obesity
- Genetic digestive disorders
- Iron accumulation in the body
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Infection
- Liver disease caused by autoimmune hepatitis
- Damage to the bile ducts
If you develop problems with your liver and need specialized care, partner with our gastroenterology providers at Connecticut GI. Our skill and experience can provide you with ideal options for individualized care.
What are the signs of liver cirrhosis?
The beginning stages of liver cirrhosis may not carry any symptoms, but the initial indicators you may notice could include lethargy, physical weakness, and lack of appetite. If cirrhosis of the liver continues to progress, some of the symptoms can include:
- Vomiting
- Bruise or bleed easily
- Nausea
- Redness of the palms
- Brown-colored urine
- Cramping of muscles
- Fever
- Bloody stools
- Swelling in the legs
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes
- Spider web-like veins
- Unexpected weight gain or loss
- Itching
- Swelling in the abdomen
What are the treatment options for liver cirrhosis?
Damage to the liver generally cannot be reversed; however, it can often still function even if two-thirds has been removed or destroyed. Listed below are a number of the treatment options our Connecticut GI team may recommend to help improve the liver's ability to function:
- Antiviral medications for hepatitis B and C
- Undergo a liver transplant procedure
- Targeting the particular issues surrounding your cirrhosis
- Vaccination for hepatitis A and B
- Avoiding certain medications (naproxen, ibuprofen, etc.)
- Reduce the risk of additional damage to the liver
Are there any complications of liver cirrhosis?
A person's liver is responsible for an essential job in the body, and any damage sustained by the liver will interfere with its normal functions. Some of the possible complications resulting from cirrhosis of the liver are:
- Bacterial peritonitis (inflammation of the abdomen wall)
- Hypersplenism (an overactive spleen)
- Liver cancer
- Hepatic encephalopathy (the aggregation of toxins in the bloodstream leading to brain damage)
Specialized care for liver health
Liver cirrhosis can impact your life in several ways. At Connecticut GI, we want to help you experience a life where further damage to the liver can be prevented. To find help for liver cirrhosis in Connecticut, request an appointment with a member of our team today.
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I underwent a Colonoscopy and Endoscopy on March 3 and I want to let everyone know that the entire staff from the check in, to the prep work, to the procedure, to the final exit were all wonderful and not only very professional but treated me as if I was family Thank you to everyone involved, from my original consultation and set up to my final exit were fantastic!
First off, let me start with the awesome staff, from scheduling to follow up; super pleasant and efficient. Dr. Abay, can't say enough good things, informative, concise, fully answered any and all questions and concerns. Highly recommend! 2nd visit just as great as the first one - minor in office procedure and Dr. Abay took the time to go over eveything (again)!
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My experience with Doctor Ianello & his staff was top notch. They were all knowledgeable, efficient & courteous. Doctor spent an adequate time with me the week before, just prior to & after the procedure to make sure I felt comfortable with the entire process. His staff the morning of the procedure at the surgical center treated me like family. I would recommend him highly. Get him to be your doctor before he retires. Plus, my results were favorable which made me happy.
As a new patient I was very happy with my new gastroenterologist, and the office as well. Staff is very supportive and kind. Dr.Antony spent quite a bit of time with me. I was never rushed and he carefully went over my history. I was comfortable and happy to find this practice.
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