Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How To Diagnose Liver Cirrhosis?
Question: I am a male of 68 years old who has had an alcoholic problem for a long time!
I quit drinking for about 20 years but in the past 2 years or so have gone back to drinking!
i quit for about 4 or 5 months then started again!
I have no symptoms of kidney infections as my urine is as should be and my stool movements are regular and brown as should be....... no diahrria and no constipation!
In the event I should have liver cirossis how long would it take to show up? After I stop drinking is it possible I still may have cirrosis?
I guess what I am basically asking is would cirrosis show up right away or could it be months or even years!
If I stop now is it possible I will be ok and my liver will regenerate?
I quit drinking for about 20 years but in the past 2 years or so have gone back to drinking!
i quit for about 4 or 5 months then started again!
I have no symptoms of kidney infections as my urine is as should be and my stool movements are regular and brown as should be....... no diahrria and no constipation!
In the event I should have liver cirossis how long would it take to show up? After I stop drinking is it possible I still may have cirrosis?
I guess what I am basically asking is would cirrosis show up right away or could it be months or even years!
If I stop now is it possible I will be ok and my liver will regenerate?
Brief Answer:
Liver cirrhosis can be already present.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Liver is a brilliant organ. It can overcome many "critical moments" as it has great ability to regenerate. In simple words, you can drink for a long time, eat lots of painkillers, eat fatty foods, spicy foods and still there is great chance that it will function property. Moreover we need only 1/3 of healthy liver (other part can be removed and still there will be enough to live). That is why liver transplantation is possible. And that is why you can drink for 20 years and still have no signs of liver dysfunction.
The ability of liver regeneration is very individual. Liver cirrhosis is a slow process. It is caused by connective tissues appearance instead of healthy liver cells. As we need 1/3 of healthy liver, it takes time for the connective tissue to replace 2/3 of the liver. It can take many years.
Moreover, liver cirrhosis process gives symptoms before the critical insufficiency appears. This symptoms are:
- gynecomastia (breast grow)
- fluid in abdomen (abdomen gets larger)
- enlarged veins on the abdomen
- small testicles
- tiredness
- lack of appetite
- easy bruising
To make it clear here are straight answers to your questions:
- cirrhosis can give no signs and symptoms for years
- even if you stop drinking, you may already have liver cirrhosis and this process can not be reversed
- if you stop now, and there is no cirrhosis, yes your liver can fully regenerate
Hope this will help. Feel free to as further questions.
Regards.
Liver cirrhosis can be already present.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Liver is a brilliant organ. It can overcome many "critical moments" as it has great ability to regenerate. In simple words, you can drink for a long time, eat lots of painkillers, eat fatty foods, spicy foods and still there is great chance that it will function property. Moreover we need only 1/3 of healthy liver (other part can be removed and still there will be enough to live). That is why liver transplantation is possible. And that is why you can drink for 20 years and still have no signs of liver dysfunction.
The ability of liver regeneration is very individual. Liver cirrhosis is a slow process. It is caused by connective tissues appearance instead of healthy liver cells. As we need 1/3 of healthy liver, it takes time for the connective tissue to replace 2/3 of the liver. It can take many years.
Moreover, liver cirrhosis process gives symptoms before the critical insufficiency appears. This symptoms are:
- gynecomastia (breast grow)
- fluid in abdomen (abdomen gets larger)
- enlarged veins on the abdomen
- small testicles
- tiredness
- lack of appetite
- easy bruising
To make it clear here are straight answers to your questions:
- cirrhosis can give no signs and symptoms for years
- even if you stop drinking, you may already have liver cirrhosis and this process can not be reversed
- if you stop now, and there is no cirrhosis, yes your liver can fully regenerate
Hope this will help. Feel free to as further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you Dr.
But how do I know w/o going to a Dr. if I Have scelorosis?
I have no jaundice, and one of the other symptoms accosiated with it!
No jaundice etc
But how do I know w/o going to a Dr. if I Have scelorosis?
I have no jaundice, and one of the other symptoms accosiated with it!
No jaundice etc
Brief Answer:
Cirrhosis can give no symptoms at all.
Detailed Answer:
You can not know if there is cirrhosis or not as long as an ultrasound and biopsy wont be done. Like I have mentioned before, cirrhosis can be present without any symptoms for years.
Jaundice is a late symptom. It appears in case of liver insufficiency. Other symptoms do not have to be present as well and still cirrhosis is possible.
Regards.
Cirrhosis can give no symptoms at all.
Detailed Answer:
You can not know if there is cirrhosis or not as long as an ultrasound and biopsy wont be done. Like I have mentioned before, cirrhosis can be present without any symptoms for years.
Jaundice is a late symptom. It appears in case of liver insufficiency. Other symptoms do not have to be present as well and still cirrhosis is possible.
Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
