About 1 in 400 American adults live with cirrhosis (liver scarring). Having cirrhosis increases your risk of liver cancer, so prompt treatment is vital — and that’s where GI Associates of Maryland comes in. The team of gastroenterology specialists has more than two decades of experience managing cirrhosis using the most effective strategies. They can help with any stage of cirrhosis in their Waldorf, Maryland office and endoscopy center next door. Call the office or book your appointment online today.
Cirrhosis is a disease in which the liver gradually shuts down due to scarring. Conditions such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and chronic alcohol use can all lead to liver damage.
While your body attempts to repair the damage, repeated attempts to do so over time lead to scar tissue buildup.
The liver performs several critical jobs in your body, including producing proteins, fighting infections, storing energy, and cleaning your blood. Cirrhosis disrupts liver function and can have severe long-term consequences if untreated. Fortunately, there is hope for people with cirrhosis, regardless of its severity.
Cirrhosis is hard to identify from symptoms, especially in its early stages. Often, symptoms don’t start until you already have liver scarring. Some problems you may experience are:
If you have any conditions that often lead to cirrhosis, you may need regular liver testing to help identify a potential problem before you start to have symptoms.
No, having cirrhosis doesn’t automatically mean you have liver cancer, but it does increase your risk. Around 5% of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer.
People with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C have a higher risk of developing liver cancer than those with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B or alcohol use.
You can’t heal existing scar tissue, but starting cirrhosis treatment now can prevent the disease from spreading or worsening.
Early cirrhosis treatment starts with addressing the root cause of the disease. In addition to losing weight, exercising, and changing your diet, you may need medication to treat your condition.
Late-stage cirrhosis occurs when the liver shuts down. At that point, a liver transplant may be an option.
You can change the course of your cirrhosis with the help of the dedicated team at GI Associates of Maryland. They treat you like an individual, not a number, so you can expect the compassionate care you deserve as you learn a new way to live with cirrhosis.
Book your appointment with the team online or by calling the office.