Dr. Sharan Narute

Complications of Chronic Liver Disease

Complications of Chronic Liver Disease in Pune & PCMC - Dr. Sharan Narute

Complications of Chronic Liver Disease

Complications of chronic liver disease refer to the various adverse outcomes that can arise as a result of progressive liver damage and dysfunction. These complications can significantly impact patients’ quality of life and overall prognosis.

Portal Hypertension: Increased pressure in the portal vein system due to liver scarring, leading to complications such as varices (enlarged veins), ascites (abdominal fluid buildup), splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), and portosystemic shunting (abnormal blood flow between the portal and systemic circulation).

Common Complications

Complications may include portal hypertension, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatopulmonary syndrome, variceal bleeding, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and coagulopathy

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the specific complication but may include abdominal pain or discomfort, jaundice, ascites (abdominal swelling), hepatic encephalopathy (confusion, altered mental status), hematemesis (vomiting blood), melena (black, tarry stools), fatigue, weakness, and weight loss.

Treatment

Treatment of complications of chronic liver disease focuses on managing symptoms, reducing the risk of further complications, and addressing the underlying cause of liver damage. This may involve medications, dietary modifications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, invasive procedures or surgery.