Actor-director Nishikant Kamat passed away on August 17, after battling liver cirrhosis. The actor was 50 years old and was admitted to the hospital on July 31 with complaints of fatigue and fever. It was diagnosed that the actor was battling liver cirrhosis from the past two years.

What is liver cirrhosis?


Cirrhosis is the late-stage fibrosis (scarring) of the liver, which is caused by many forms of liver diseases such as chronic alcoholism and hepatitis.

Every time your liver is injured, either by disease or excessive alcohol consumption or any other reason, it repairs itself. In this process of repairing, scar tissues are formed. As cirrhosis progresses, more and more scar tissues are formed, making it difficult for the liver to function. Advanced stage liver cirrhosis can be life-threatening.

Liver cirrhosis can be undone. But if diagnosed on time, it can be treated and further damage can be limited. In some rare cases, the condition can also be reversed.

As per the World Gastroenterology Organisation, the mortality rate from liver cirrhosis in the year 2001 was about 771,000 people. By the end of 2020, the disease would most likely become the 12th leading cause of death.

Symptoms of liver cirrhosis


Liver cirrhosis does not show any symptom until the liver gets damaged extensively. When signs and symptoms occur, they include

– Fatigue (the most common sign)

– Easy bleeding and bruising

– Nausea and loss of appetite

– Swelling in feet, ankles and legs (edema)

– Itchy skin and weight loss

– Yellow colour skin and eyes

– Fluid accumulation in the abdomen

– Redness of palms and hands

– Absent periods in women

– Loss of sex drive in men

– Drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech

In some severe cases, blood in the vomit, black colour stool, dark yellow urine can also happen.

What causes liver cirrhosis


Talking of India, the most common cause is alcohol-induced liver damage (excessive consumption of alcohol that leads to cirrhosis over a period of time), hepatitis B, hepatitis C and viral infections.

Fat-induced liver cirrhosis is also increasing with time due to the present lifestyle and increased obesity. In fact, fat-induced liver cirrhosis is becoming the major cause of cirrhosis in our country.

Risk factors for liver cirrhosis


Drinking too much alcohol

Excessive consumption of alcohol can be a risk factor for cirrhosis

Obesity
Being overweight can increase your risk of conditions that can lead to cirrhosis.

Viral hepatitis

Not everyone who has chronic hepatitis develops cirrhosis. But it is one of the leading causes of liver disease.

Treatment for liver cirrhosis


Liver cirrhosis can be treated if diagnosed early. Hepatitis B and C both can be cured or controlled with medication. Not consuming alcohol can also improve liver disease up to an extent. Liver damage can be life-threatening and may require a transplant.

In 75 – 80 per cent cases, cirrhosis can be stopped from progressing further if treated on time. But around 15- 20 per cent people come to know about the condition only when it is in an advanced stage and then might continue to deteriorate despite treatment.

For these people, a liver transplant is the only option. But liver transplant is not easy in our country. More than two lakh people await liver transplant in our country every year and only 1200-1500 of them get it.

Prevention

Say no to alcohol


If you have liver disease, do not drink alcohol. One should avoid smoking as well.

Have a healthy diet


One must consume a diet low in fats and include green leafy vegetables in their diet. The diet should be rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Exercise regularly

Just walking for 4-5 kilometres every day can benefit a lot to people suffering from liver disease.

Keep a check on diabetes


If you have diabetes, make sure to keep a tab on it. It’s important to maintain blood sugar levels to control liver cirrhosis.

Reduce your hepatitis risk


Do not have unprotected sex or share needles as it can increase your risk of hepatitis B and C. Get your hepatitis vaccinations on time.