Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

potential to cause chronic hepatitis. The hepatitis virus multiplies within the liver. Signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis include fatigue, flu-like symptoms, dark colored urine, light colored stools, fever, and jaundice. In contrast, signs of chronic viral hepatitis are non-specific in nature, but have the potential to cause progressive damage to the liver, cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer. Cirrhosis Cirrhosis signifies the later stage of fibrosis of the liver, which is caused by many other disorders. It is characterized by the formation of scarring tissues in the liver, which are often due to chronic abuse of alcohol or hepatitis. The damage caused due to cirrhosis cannot be undone. As the disease progresses, the scar tissues increase, which impairs the normal functioning of the liver. The advanced form of cirrhosis becomes life- threatening for the affected person. In the event of liver injury, the repair mechanism tries to repair itself, and in return, scar tissues form. Major causes of cirrhosis include hemochromatosis, in which an excess amount of iron builds up in the body; cystic fibrosis; Wilson's disease, characterized by copper formation in the liver; biliary atresia, in which the bile ducts are poorly formed; inherited sugar metabolism mechanism, like galactosemia and glycogen storage disease; alagille syndrome, which is a genetic digestive disorder; and autoimmune hepatitis. There are some other causes that become responsible for causing cirrhosis later in life and include chronic alcohol abuse, hepatitis B and C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosis cholangitis, and schistosomiasis. Signs and symptoms of cirrhosis include fatigue, easy bruising and bleeding, itchy skin, jaundice, accumulation of fluid in abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, swelling in the legs, unintended weight loss, hepatic encephalopathy, and spider-like blood vessels visible on the skin. Cholecytisis Cholecystitis is characterized by inflammation of the gallbladder. It is often caused when gallstones obstruct and block the tube leading to the gallbladder. This causes buildup in the bile, which leads to inflammation. Cholecystitis has the potential to cause life- threatening complications. Causes of cholecystitis are the formation of gallstones, tumor formation, and blockage in the bile duct. Signs and symptoms of this disorder include severe pain in the upper right abdomen, radiating pain from the right shoulder or back, abdominal tenderness, nausea, vomiting, and fever. 7.6 Clinical Manifestations Liver Diseases The function of the liver is to digest food and excrete toxic substances out of the body. Disorders and diseases can be due to genetic factors, infections, chronic alcohol abuse, cancer and other growths, and obesity. Signs and symptoms include jaundice, pain and swelling in the abdomen, swelling in the legs and ankles, itchiness in the skin, dark color of urine, chronic fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, a tendency to bruise and bleed easily, and pale, bloody, or tar colored stools.

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