Question 1

what is chronic liver parenchymal disease with cirrhosis; varices and ascites?

Accepted Answer

This sounds serious: To translate, you have liver cell damage and scarring (cirrhosis), which caused abnormally elevated portal vein pressures which caused venous distention in esophagus (varices).  You also developed fluid in abdominal cavity, because of the high portal vein pressure.  This imaging study is showing advanced stage of liver disease.  You must get a specialist to treat you.

Question 2

husband has alcoholic cirrhosis without ascites and drinks at least a pint a day. was in acute failure 6 months ago. can he live years or months?

Accepted Answer

If he continues to: drink alcohol, his outlook is dismal.  Difficult to predict the future, but he will probably not last 5 years.

Question 3

im suffering from cirrhosis, portal hypertension and ascites/ can you tell me more about treatment for this?

Accepted Answer

FEW OPTIONS: Your hepatologist (liver specialist) would be the best person to decide what would be the best treatment for you. Options include: b-blocker to decrease portal pressure, diuretics (lasix/aldactone) to control ascites and in certain cases tips (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt). Best recommendation is to avoid anything that may further damage the liver.

Question 4

what is average life-expectancy for a patient who has liver cirrhosis and has developed ascites for 2 weeks and seems to respond to lasix and aldactone (spironolactone)? thanks.

Accepted Answer

What Stage ?: Life expectancy depends on what stage is the disease , is it irreversible, what is  meld score  need inr, creatinine & bilurubin levels  to access  ( model for end stage liver disease  ) presence of active hep b or c eso. Varices etc . Based on info appear to be stage iii or IV  if untreated  not much time left , need  liver transplantation. Meld score to put on waiting list.

Question 5

i have stage 4 cirrhosis with some ascites and varices and my kidney function is in question.  how could my kidney function be affected by cirrhosis?

Accepted Answer

Well...: There is an entity called the Hepato-Renal Syndrome and it is serious.
The cause is not very clear.
This is serious.
Must follow with a Specialist

Question 6

in cirrhosis does the presence of ascites always indicate decompensation and is this considered a serious complication and stage of the disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Development of ascites denotes serious disorders in structure and function of the liver and is a bad prognostic sign. See this site for more info.
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/cirrhosis-liver.

Question 7

does the presence of ascites in cirrhosis always indicate the patient is in a decompensated state?

Accepted Answer

Not exactly: It indicates the severity of disease process, but can be created at variable rate (/volume) depending on compliance w/meds and diet (salt excess a big one). True decompensation usually w/ascites and jaundice (yellow appearance to skin / sclera).

Question 8

in cirrhosis if you have experienced decompensation e.g. ascites..can you go from decompensated back to a compensated stage? i'm confused on this pt!

Accepted Answer

Uncommon but possibl: Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver due to persistent injury.  The causes of cirrhosis are multiple, including alcohol, obesity, viral hepatitis, autoimmune diseases.  Decompensation means that there are significant complications, such as ascites, jaundice, confusion, kidney failure and cancer.  In rare cases where the cause is removed, the liver can recover.  I recommend you to see a hepatologist.

Question 9

is recovery after inguinal repair worse for cirrhosis with mild ascites?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Depends on your overall health. Body protein levels and blood coagulation may be impaired. Immune system may be weakened. Can have increased risks of bleeding & infection & hernia repair failure. Ascites leak could develop & may be very difficult to  try to deal with. Maximize all medical conditions first & surgery only if really necessary.

Question 10

husband has alcoholic cirrhosis, drinks half gallon in 24 hours. diagnosed two years ago. still no ascites. is this something that progresses slowly?

Accepted Answer

Cirrhosis (diffuse: scarring throughout the liver) rate of progression is very variable yet one way, not reversible by any current treatments &amp; tends to correlate with not only Etoh consumption by also type &amp; severity of viral hepatitis (typically low grade &amp; not diagnosed). Ascites=late symptom from obstruction of portal blood flow through liver, after esophageal, umbilical &amp; perianal venous varicosities=advanced.

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Doctor answers about:

Cirrhosis and ascites

A member asked:

What is chronic liver parenchymal disease with cirrhosis; varices and ascites?

A member asked:

Husband has alcoholic cirrhosis without ascites and drinks at least a pint a day. was in acute failure 6 months ago. can he live years or months?

A member asked:

Im suffering from cirrhosis, portal hypertension and ascites/ can you tell me more about treatment for this?

A member asked:

What is average life-expectancy for a patient who has liver cirrhosis and has developed ascites for 2 weeks and seems to respond to lasix and aldactone (spironolactone)? thanks.

A member asked:

I have stage 4 cirrhosis with some ascites and varices and my kidney function is in question. how could my kidney function be affected by cirrhosis?

A member asked:

In cirrhosis does the presence of ascites always indicate decompensation and is this considered a serious complication and stage of the disease?

A member asked:

Does the presence of ascites in cirrhosis always indicate the patient is in a decompensated state?

A member asked:

In cirrhosis if you have experienced decompensation e.g. ascites..can you go from decompensated back to a compensated stage? i'm confused on this pt!

A member asked:

Is recovery after inguinal repair worse for cirrhosis with mild ascites?

A member asked:

Husband has alcoholic cirrhosis, drinks half gallon in 24 hours. diagnosed two years ago. still no ascites. is this something that progresses slowly?

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