Cirrhosis
Consult Dr. Rajiv Grover, a distinguished gastroenterologist and hepatologist in Ludhiana, for stabilizing liver health and preventing complications of Liver Cirrhosis.
What is Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is the advanced stage of chronic liver disease where permanent, irreversible scarring develops due to long-term inflammation and continuous liver damage. As healthy liver tissues get replaced by scar tissues, it significantly interferes with the functioning of the liver and has life-threatening consequences including mortality. Cardio-metabolic disorders, viral infections (like Hepatitis), and alcohol & drug use are the common causes of Cirrhosis. While it cannot be cured or reversed, it is possible to slow down the progression of the disease to the decompensated stage, safeguard liver function, and control long-term complications including kidney damage through early screening and targeted medical interventions.
Symptoms of Cirrhosis
Nausea and loss of appetite
Upper right abdominal pain
Chronic fatigue/ exhaustion
Visible blood vessels that look like spiders
Redness of palms/ pale finger nails
Unexplained weight loss
When to See a Doctor for Cirrhosis?
The following are warning signs of progressing Cirrhosis which necessitates immediate medical attention.
- Severe jaundice or abdominal pain/ swelling
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Itchy skin with no visible rashes
- Dark-coloured urine/ pale-coloured stools
- Confusion or memory problems
- Edema (swelling in the hands, feet, or legs)
Treatment Approach
Dr. Rajiv Grover’s Treatment Approach for Cirrhosis
Dr. Rajiv Grover, one of the most trusted liver specialists in Ludhiana, seamlessly integrates global medical protocols, advanced diagnostics, and modern interventions to manage Liver Cirrhosis. His specialized focus is to stabilize liver health, slow down disease progression, control long-term complications, and restore patient well-being.
Initial Consultation
In the first, deep-dive consultation, the doctor gathers information about your medical history, condition, lifestyle, and symptoms through a two-way conversation, followed by a physical examination to check for signs of enlarged liver, cirrhosis, and jaundice. It helps the the diagnosis if you can present your previous medical reports, blood or liver function tests, and abdominal ultrasounds, if any.
Advanced Diagnosis
The doctor uses one or more tests to confirm the diagnosis, check liver function, rule out other liver diseases, and stage the liver damage:
- Liver function and liver enzyme tests
- Blood work (viral hepatitis, celiac disease screening, cardio-metabolic risks)
- Abdominal ultrasound
- MRI & CT scans
- Liver FibroScan
- Liver biopsy if test results are unclear
Tailored Treatment
The treatment for liver cirrhosis is based on the extent of liver damage and the causative factors. The doctor designs an individualized treatment plan that may include the following:
- Treatment for root causes
- Managing cardio-metabolic risk factors
- Alcohol dependency treatments
- Medications for other liver diseases
- Hepatitis treatments
- Dietary and lifestyle modification
- Eliminating alcohol and drugs
- Targeted weight loss
- Lifestyle changes
- Dietary supplements for nutritional deficiencies
- Treatment for Cirrhosis complications
- Endoscopic Variceal Band Litigation (EVL) for portal hypertension-induced upper GI bleeds
- Dietary modifications to manage cirrhosis complications
- Liver cancer screening and treatment
- Kidney dialysis
- Liver transplantation when liver damage is severe
Risks & Complications
What Happens If You Leave Cirrhosis Untreated?
Untreated cirrhosis causes severe, irreversible liver scarring that has life-threatening consequences for the patient.
Liver failure & liver cancer
Hepatic encephalopathy
Portal hypertension & internal bleeding
Kidney failure
Why Choose Us?
The Grover Edge
01
World-Class Medical Protocols
Dr. Rajiv Grover adopts international standards of care modelled after leading medical institutes to ensure lasting relief.
02
Science-Backed Methodology
Each treatment plan is evidence-based and rooted in the latest clinical research for improved patient outcomes.
03
Ethical, Compassionate Approach
Our approach incorporates two-way communication, empathy & transparency for improved patient experiences.
04
Advanced Techniques & Treatments
We leverage the latest best practices, advanced techniques and high-end technology for greater accuracy & comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
The long-term inflammation and resulting permanent scarring of liver is commonly caused by:
- Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
- Viral infections like Hepatitis B and C
- Long-term alcohol & drug use
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Genetic factors
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Toxic hepatitis
No, the scarring of the liver in Cirrhosis is considered permanent. While Cirrhosis cannot be cured or reversed, it is possible to slow down the progression of the disease to the decompensated stage, safeguard liver function, and control long-term complications including kidney damage through early screening and targeted interventions.
While Cirrhosis is a serious, life-threatening condition, it is not immediately fatal. Your life expectancy completely depends upon the stage of liver damage (compensated vs decompensated), underlying causes, and strict adherence to treatment. In severe cases, liver transplantation is an option. The key to preventing complete liver failure and life-threatening consequences is early screening and targeted interventions.
The early signs of Cirrhosis include:
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Upper abdominal pain
- Fatigue/ exhaustion
- Visible blood vessels that look like spiders
- Redness of palms/ pale finger nails
- Unexplained weight loss
The following are warning signs of progressing Cirrhosis which necessitates immediate medical attention.
- Severe jaundice or abdominal pain/ swelling
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Itchy skin with no visible rashes
- Dark-coloured urine/ pale-coloured stools
- Confusion or memory problems
- Edema (swelling of hands, feet, or legs)
Dr. Rajiv Grover, one of the most trusted liver specialists in Ludhiana, seamlessly integrates global medical protocols, advanced diagnostics, and modern interventions to manage Liver Cirrhosis. His specialized focus is to stabilize liver health, slow down disease progression, control long-term complications, and restore patient well-being.
The doctor uses blood tests, liver function tests, imaging studies, FibroScan, and liver biopsies (when tests are unclear) to confirm the diagnosis, check liver function, rule out other liver diseases, and stage the liver damage. His evidence-based treatment for liver cirrhosis is based on the extent of liver damage and the causative factors, and may include the following:
- Treatment for root causes
- Managing cardio-metabolic risk factors
- Alcohol dependency treatments
- Medications for other liver diseases
- Vaccination for hepatitis A & B
- Dietary and lifestyle modification
- Eliminating alcohol and drugs
- Targeted weight loss
- Lifestyle changes
- Dietary supplements for nutritional deficiencies
- Treatment for Cirrhosis complications
- Endoscopic Variceal Band Litigation (EVL) for portal hypertension-induced upper GI bleeds
- Dietary modifications to manage cirrhosis complications
- Liver cancer screening and treatment
- Kidney dialysis
Liver transplantation when liver damage is severe
If you have been diagnosed with cirrhosis, you are in a high-risk category for liver cancer – Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Dr. Rajiv Grover, a trusted liver specialist in the Ludhiana region, typically recommends a screening every 6 months. This usually involves an abdominal ultrasound and a blood test for a specific tumour marker (AFP). Early detection is the most critical factor in successfully treating liver cancer.