Is it possible to palpate cirrhosis of the liver? | Cirrhosis of the liver

Is it possible to palpate cirrhosis of the liver?

Cirrhosis of the liver can be easily palpated during the physical examination. The liver is normally hidden under the right costal arch and can only be palpated at the edge of the ribs when fully exhaled. Cirrhosis of the liver initially causes an enlargement of the organ so that the liver is easier to palpate.

Due to the connective tissue reshaping, the liver also feels knotty and bumpy. A hardening of the surface can also be noticeable. In later stages, the liver shrinks again, making it more difficult to palpate the organ.

Therapy/treatment of cirrhosis of the liver

The general therapy of liver cirrhosis initially consists of a reduction of risk factors. Thus, liver-damaging drugs should be discontinued. Harmful substances such as alcohol are also prohibited in liver cirrhosis.

If there is already increased pressure in the liver vessels, diuretic therapy with water tablets can reduce the pressure. Beta blockers are also a suitable means of treating the pressure. In addition, coagulation factors should be administered medications to prevent pronounced bleeding.

This also includes a substitution of vitamin K, which is needed for the formation of some clotting factors. The water accumulation in the abdomen can be relieved with a puncture. Complications such as bleeding in the bypass circulation must also be treated interventionally.

These varices can bleed in the esophagus, for example, and cause life-threatening blood loss. It may be necessary to stop the bleeding using interventional therapy. The last option for treating the disease is a transplant of the liver. Also learn how to get on the waiting list for a liver transplant: Liver Transplantation – Indications, Costs & the Waiting List

Life expectancy in cirrhosis of the liver

The consequences of cirrhosis of the liver are initially noticeable by an accumulation of various toxins and a reduced synthesis capacity of the liver and the resulting coagulation disorders. Two serious consequences of liver cirrhosis are hepatic encephalopathy (the brain is affected) and hepatorenal syndrome (the kidney is affected). In hepatic encephalopathy, toxins such as ammonia accumulate in the brain.

It leads to disturbances of consciousness up to coma, which can be aggravated by a deterioration of liver function as well as digestive problems, fluid loss and infections. The therapy consists of the administration of ornithine aspartate, which can increase ammonia detoxification. Hepatorenal syndrome is a kidney dysfunction caused by low blood flow to the kidney due to the liver dysfunction. Here too, fluid loss, digestive disorders and infections are the most common cause of acute deterioration. Typically, kidney values such as creatinine increase, leading to acute kidney failure with significantly reduced or no urine excretion.