The Latest in Liver Damage Medical Advancements

One of the most interesting discoveries is the application of stem cells from the pancreas and bone marrow to help rebuilding the liver. The research that was done revealed a rapid and significant increase in healthy liver cells. This would truly be a wonderful break through. The successful outcomes with mice studies were solid enough to foresee these therapies being done on a trial basis with humans, especially those with acute liver failure. I am currently listed with acute cirrhosis of the liver. I am very interested in this recent study. The nice part of it is the fact that the stem cells are from the same living being. This could have a tremendous impact on forthcoming medical procedures and on me feeling alright with the use of my own stem cells to help regenerate my liver.

The four current major treatments of cirrhosis are preventing additional damage to an acute liver, taking care of any complications like liver cancer, the actual change in flow of the flowing blood through the liver, and varices that will occur. The other two processes definitely include early detection of other illnesses involving liver cancer, and also transplantation of a healthy liver.

I further have to be on a specific diet which is very low in sodium, and I am not able to take pain medication such as ibuprofen, Tylenol, or aspirin. I in addition take a medication that is used to change the cell DNA so that it will not form more sick cells. Other treatments include removing the blood of hemochromatosis patients, or medications to reduce copper in the body in patients with Wilson's disease. Currently, I am fortunate enough to not have to utilize those procedures.

With liver failure come Edema, which is retention of water in the legs, and ankles, which I do have, and Ascites, which is the retainment of fluid in the abdomen, which I did have. I have not cut back my fluid intake of water, coffee, or soda, but there are many cases where it is truly recommended. I use diuretics, specifically 50 mg of spironolactone daily for my edema. Some people need to have a long catheter, or needle to remove the excessive fluid in the abdomen, which they call paracentesis. I was very close to needing that done 2 years ago. I actually had so much fluid gain, along with the spleen swelling, that my ribs have actually formed a ridge to accommodate the excessive pressure that was placed on them. If I was to have that procedure of removing fluid from my abdomen today, they would use a different procedure that actually is through the transjugular vein which they call TIPS.

There is also the likelihood of having large varices, or spider like explosions of the minor veins in the esophagus or upper stomach. They have medications to decrease the extreme pressure to the portal vein, as well as to destroy these varices. I have several exterior varices currently, but do not take anything for them.

I also have an ailment that is associated with liver failure called Hepactic encephalopathy. This is where I have very weird sleep patterns, including, for me, daytime sleeping, and late nights that then turn into early nights that then go to all nighters. I further have impaired thinking, forgetfulness, odd behaviors, changes in personality. I have to take lactulose. It is liquid, tastes terrible, and until you get it limited properly causes very frequent bathroom breaks of the solid kind. This drug actually takes out the toxic chemical buildups, which cause the above symptoms that I have. I also have what they call hyperspleenism, which causes a minor reduction in blood products like red, white cells and platelets. There are medications to improve the red or white cells, while nothing currently for platelets.

There currently is only a fifty-fifty percent chance that current methods to test for liver cancer will be accurate. I am screened every six months by ultrasounds, and blood tests for cancer type proteins in the blood. The best method currently to resume a semi-normal life is a lot of tests, and many changes to the everyday routines. There currently are no known cures for liver cirrhosis, but we are getting much closer. Liver functions with cirrhosis will continue to worsen despite all present treatments, and the additional complications will continue to get more severe. The only present treatment for those with advanced cirrhosis is a liver transplant. Currently more than eighty percent of all transplants are successful, and in some exact locations the figure is in the ninety percentile. The part to remember is that most transplants of livers are from deceased donors, but the living donor program is developing rapidly. If you can donate, whether part of your liver, kidneys, or other organ while alive, then please truly consider donating. If you cannot donate now, consider seriously the donation of organs when you pass on. Your organ donation is the greatest gift of all, the rich gift of personal life...