Learn More About Causes Of Cirrhosis Of Liver
Liver is an important organ in our human body. It helps in storage of fat soluble vitamins, formation of red blood cells, formation of bile, storage and secretion of hormones. It performs many other functions which are very essential for human being.
One of the important diseases of liver is cirrhosis which can occur due to the following causes. It is a chronic disease and usually develops over a long period of time. There is death of the cells of liver called as necrosis. This results in shrinkage in the size of liver. Viral infections of liver like hepatitis B, C and D can cause cirrhosis of liver.
Other infectious diseases like malaria, amoebic dysentery usually results in malnutrition and later on cause cirrhosis of liver. There are important enzymes like galactose 1 phosphate- uridyl transferase and alpha 1 antitrypsin present in human body. Deficiency of these enzymes can result in cirrhosis of liver. This deficiency of enzymes is congenital in nature. It is present since birth.
Other congenital diseases like wilson’s disease and haemochromatosis also cause cirrhosis of liver. In wilson’s disease, there is excessive deposition of copper in liver cells. In haemochromatosis, there is excessive absorption of iron and its deposition in liver. Whenever you eat pulses, groundnuts and other nuts, make sure that they are fresh. Nuts get contaminated with a fungus called as aspergillus flavus when they are stored in moist environment.
This fungus produces alfatoxin in nuts which can give rise to cirrhosis of liver when you consume such nuts. In diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus antibodies to healthy tissues are generated. In such diseases, cirrhosis of liver can occur. Also keep a watch on your diet. Diet that is very rich in calories and carbohydrates can lead to protein deficiency.
Deficiency of important proteins like methionine and choline can cause fatty liver or liver cirrhosis. If intake of unsaturated fats which is found in vegetable oils is high, then that can lead to liver cirrhosis as well. An important cause of liver cirrhosis in western countries is alcohol abuse. So restrict your alcohol intake and save your liver from this dreaded disease.
