Liver Cirrhosis

Liver Cirrhosis is the consequence of permanent damage to the liver cells caused by the replacement of the liver tissue by fibrous scar tissue. The main causes are:
    。Alcohol abuse、
    。Certain viral infections (such as chronic viral hepatitis)、
    。Certain drugs taken in large quantity、
    。Prolonged exposure to certain environmental toxins、
    。Genetic or other diseases (such as metabolic diseases or obstruction of the bile ducts).

Most patients at an early stage of liver disease will not show any obvious symptoms or signs. There is no cure for liver cirrhosis and patients with liver cirrhosis have a higher chance of developing liver cancer.
Therefore, prevention, early detection and treatment of liver cirrhosis are all very important.
Viral hepatitis B is a major cause of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis but there are vaccinations available nowadays to prevent this disease. All babies born in Macau from 1987 onwards have been receiving this vaccine free of charge.

In the early stages of cirrhosis, the patient may have few and difficult to recognize symptoms which include:
    。Loss of appetite、
    。Nausea、
    。Weight loss、
    。Fatigue and weakness。

    。Yellowing of the skin and eyes、
    。Dark urine、
    。Swelling of legs, feet and abdomen、
    。Bleeds and bruises easily。

    。Bleeding in the oesophagus and intestines, leading to hematemesis and a bloody or black stool,
    。Mental confusion.

Ways to protect the liver include:
    。Quitting smoking、
    。Abstain from alcohol
    。Having a balanced diet and avoiding eating high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, thereby reducing the chance of developing liver-related diseases such as gallstones、
    。Maintain a healthy weight、
    。Receive the hepatitis B vaccination to protect the liver from infection by Hepatitis B、
    。Avoiding taking unnecessary drugs and medications、