Jun 27
Can you get Cirrhosis of the Liver even if you dont drink Alcohol?
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My uncle Alex 75 has just been diagnosed and is presently hospitalized with cirrhosis and he hardy ever drank alcohol. What else could cause cirrhosis of the liver?
He was in the hospital 2 months ago for his hernia and developed a bag or a lump of “water” they think a month ago, in his stomach..as big as your fist , 5 inches long…so he entered the hospital to remove this mass growing inside him and now the doctors say its because of his liver. It just happens to be a long 4 day holiday here “All Souls Day” in the Philippines and most people who could answer are gone.
Hoping I could get a few answers here on Yahoo.
Tags: Alcohol, cirrhosis, Don't, drink, even, liver
Other causes of cirrhosis include:
Chronic hepatitis B and C. The serious liver infection hepatitis C ranks second only to alcoholism as a cause of cirrhosis. Nearly a quarter of people with chronic hepatitis C develop cirrhosis — often as long as two decades or more after infection — and many with cirrhosis eventually progress to end-stage liver disease or to liver cancer. Infection with another hepatitis strain, hepatitis B, also can lead to cirrhosis.
Autoimmune hepatitis. In this disorder, the body’s immune system attacks liver cells, causing inflammation similar to the inflammation that occurs in viral hepatitis. Normally, your immune system protects you from viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing organisms. It’s not clear why the body sometimes attacks its own cells, but researchers believe a virus or bacteria might trigger this response in people with a genetic predisposition to develop an autoimmune disorder. Many people with autoimmune hepatitis also have other autoimmune problems such as thyroiditis, Graves’ disease or ulcerative colitis. Autoimmune hepatitis can affect people of any age, although it’s more common in women than in men. Because the inflammation is usually severe and chronic, it may lead to cirrhosis and eventually to liver failure.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis). In this disorder, fat accumulates in the liver, leading to inflammation and occasionally to scar tissue. Although the exact cause isn’t known, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease seems to be associated with diabetes, obesity and elevated levels of fat in the blood.
Inherited diseases. These include disorders that cause high levels of certain minerals such as copper (Wilson’s disease) or iron (hereditary hemochromatosis) to accumulate in the liver. Other inherited conditions that may cause cirrhosis include cystic fibrosis and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency — a disorder in which abnormal protein damages liver cells.
Blocked or inflamed bile ducts. Bile is a fluid that aids in the digestion of fats. It’s produced in your liver and travels to your gallbladder and small intestine (duodenum) through thin tubes called bile ducts. Diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis can cause the ducts to become inflamed, scarred or blocked. This forces bile back into the liver, where it damages tissue and eventually may lead to cirrhosis. Complications from surgery on the liver, bile ducts or gallbladder (secondary biliary cirrhosis) also can lead to blocked bile ducts. Babies sometimes develop cirrhosis as a result of biliary atresia — a condition in which the bile ducts are closed or missing at birth.
Prolonged exposure to toxic materials. Your liver is the primary clearinghouse for alcohol, drugs and other toxins. Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins such as arsenic and severe reactions to some drugs — including prescription drugs — can sometimes cause severe liver disease.
Unfortunately, the answer is ‘yes’. Alcohol abuse is a major cause of cirrhosis of the liver, but it is not the only cause.
The various types of hepatitis have the potential to cause this serious condition, as do some inherited diseases.
I am very sorry to hear of your uncle’s serious illness.
To prevent further deterioration, he may require intensive treatment, a strict diet as well and some fairly heavy medication.
My late husband suffered from this condition, and people’s attitude that he must be an alcoholic because of it caused both of us a lot of distress at the time.
Judgemental people who are actually very ill informed are NOT needed when your uncle is fighting for his life.
Even if alcohol is the cause of your uncle’s condition, he needs the help and support of his family, and you will benefit from knowing you were there for him.
Good luck and very best wishes to you and to your uncle and family.
As the previous two answers have stated – liver cirrhosis can occur as a consequence of hepatitis B or C. Chronic use of drugs like paracetamol could also contribute towards liver cirrhosis.
That said, the liver is still able to regenerate itself.
Go do some research on the herb, milk thistle or its extract, silymarin. Also high doses of Vitamin Bs are beneficial to the liver.
Other than silymarin or milk thistle, be careful with other herbs as many are also toxic if taken in high doses or over a long time.
There is also NASH ( nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis)- see the link below.