Treatment of decompensated cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis C

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 3.5 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis C, and most of them do not know they have it.
Over the years, hepatitis C infection can cause liver damage. According to the CDC, for every 100 people with chronic hepatitis C infection, 5-20 develop cirrhosis. In fact, hepatitis C is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Hepatitis C infection can cause very few symptoms at first. So it's not surprising that many people infected with hepatitis C don't even know they have a life-threatening illness.
Hepatitis C virus attacks the liver, after causing an acute infection, many people will turn to a chronic infection.

Chronic hepatitis C infection develops slowly causing inflammation and destruction of the liver. It takes about 20-30 years for these lesions to cause detectable health problems. Over time, inflammation of the liver leaves scarring and permanent damage called cirrhosis. Once cirrhosis has progressed, liver damage cannot heal on its own. Cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer and liver failure. End stage cirrhosis is also known as decompensated cirrhosis.

This is the final stage of cirrhosis, when the liver tissue is almost 80-90% completely fibrosis. At this stage, the liver is no longer able to regenerate new cells and the liver cells that have not been damaged are too small and cannot compensate for liver function for the cells and liver tissue that have been fibrosis. That's why it's called decompensated cirrhosis.
2.1 Causes of decompensated cirrhosis The fibrous and scar tissue appearing in the liver is caused by a number of liver diseases, the most typical include: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, fatty liver disease and related liver diseases to wine.
In addition, there are a number of other causes leading to decompensated cirrhosis such as:
Iron overload disease when the iron content in the body is too high Cystic fibrosis Wilson's disease Inflammation of the bile duct Alagille syndrome - a digestive disorder caused by genetics Primary cholangitis Primary sclerosing cholangitis Drug overuse: amiodarone (Cordarone), methotrexate (Rheumatrex) and methyldopa (Aldomet)

2.2 Symptoms of Hepatitis C Decompensated Cirrhosis Decompensated cirrhosis has very typical symptoms. Specifically, the symptoms and signs below:
Internal bleeding: The cause of this phenomenon is pressure in the portal vein of the liver, high internal blood pressure causes the venous system in the stomach and The intestines are under pressure and dilated. The walls of these veins are very thin, so they are easy to rupture and lead to internal bleeding. Abdominal distention: Among patients with decompensated cirrhosis, up to 85% of patients have ascites. This condition is caused by the accumulation of too much fluid in the abdomen. Plasma and lymph fluid that accumulates in the abdomen for a long time gets stuck in the abdomen, increasing the pressure, causing pain, abdominal distension, bloating, and difficulty breathing. Edema: Edema is one of the most noticeable manifestations in people with decompensated cirrhosis. This phenomenon first appeared in the legs and arms, then spread to the whole body. When pressing with your finger, it may be 1-2 cm deep and it will take a few seconds to return to its original position. Jaundice: Yellow skin is the most noticeable sign in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The color will change from light yellow to dark yellow depending on the severity of the disease, and appear in the eyes and nails first, then gradually spread to the whole body. Hepatic encephalopathy: There are manifestations of loss of consciousness about their actions and words, may be comatose or awake while in a coma. Some other symptoms: In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, patients with decompensated cirrhosis may also have symptoms such as: kidney failure, anemia, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, bleeding under the skin.. .

This is the stage where liver function cannot be restored and of course, cirrhosis cannot be cured at this stage. Common treatment measures such as: taking diuretics, ascites, liver transplant ...
These methods can only prevent dangerous complications and stop the disease from progressing to cancer, or pain relief.
However, the patient should not be too pessimistic, but should persevere in treatment according to the doctor's treatment regimen combined with a reasonable diet and rest, do not drink alcohol, do not eat too much oil. fat, fried, spicy, salty.
People with decompensated cirrhosis need to follow the doctor's treatment plan. Absolutely do not arbitrarily use oriental medicine, or western medicine, drugs without a doctor's prescription, do not arbitrarily buy drugs, especially avoid drugs with two more for the liver.
To keep your liver healthy, it's important to maintain your general health, avoid alcohol, get regular medical care, and treat your hepatitis C infection. See a hepatologist to get the best treatment and monitor your complications.
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