Cirrhosis is a chronic disease in which scarring occurs in the liver and causes permanent damage. The scarring prevents the liver from working properly. It can eventually lead to liver failure. Many patients have no signs or symptoms until their liver is badly damaged.
Causes
Cirrhosis is caused by a variety of diseases, including the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses and alcoholic liver disease. Serious medical complications can happen as a result of cirrhosis.
Symptoms
People with cirrhosis may experience fatigue, nausea and pain in the abdomen, dark stools, swelling in the abdomen and legs, easy bruising and confusion. If you have these symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Treatment(s)
If you are diagnosed with cirrhosis, it is very important to make an appointment to see a hepatologist, a medical specialist trained in diseases of the liver, as soon as possible. The treatment of cirrhosis can be complicated, may involve a variety of medications and procedures¬--and evaluations by different specialists. The multidisciplinary team at our Liver Center includes hepatologists, interventional radiologists, nutritionists and social workers, who work to coordinate your care. Depending on your condition, there are several treatment options that might include a paracentesis to remove fluid in your abdomen or an endoscopy to detect the presence of abnormal, enlarged veins. If you have cirrhosis and are vomiting blood, have a fever, feeling sick in general, or experience any other medical emergency, please visit your local hospital immediately.
Programs + Services
Tufts Center for Liver Disease specializes in treating liver disease, such as cirrhosis, fatty liver, viral hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
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Research + Clinical Trials
You are being invited to consider participation in a clinical research study for patients with cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) This study involves research and is conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of a new investigational drug called aldafermin (previously known as NGM282
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The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of rifaximin SSD-40IR versus placebo to delay the occurrence of HE-related hospitalization.
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