Endocrine - Cirrhosis

Question 1

What is cirrhosis?

Answer 1

Liver cells can be overloaded when breaking down too much alcohol or drugs - cells die and form scar tissue

Question 2

What are symptoms of cirrhosis?

Answer 2

Nausea
Weight loss
Jaundice
Oedema
Itchy skin

Question 3

What is the biological explanation of cirrhosis?

Answer 3

Alcohol related - scarring of liver from continuous damage
Haemochromatosis - faulty gene where body absorbs too much iron from food - builds up in liver
Non-alcoholic fatty liver - build up of fat = inflammation and scar tissue

Question 4

What is the cause of cirrhosis?

Answer 4

Alcohol misuse
Long term infection of hepatitis C
Obesity - fatty liver

Question 5

How can cirrhosis be monitored?

Answer 5

Blood tests
Ultrasound 
CT/MRI
Liver biopsy - remove sample of cells
Endoscopy - show swollen veins and signs of cirrhosis

Question 6

How can cirrhosis be treated?

Answer 6

No cure
Treating underlying cause e.g. hepatitis C
Lifestyle changes - stop drinking / healthy diet
Liver transplant