- Written By: Laura M. Sands
- Edited By: Heather Bailey
- Last Modified Date: 23 April 2012
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Cryptogenic cirrhosis is a type of liver disease for which there is no easily identifiable cause. While alcohol is often attributed to liver scarring, patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis are not alcoholics and medical examinations do not readily reveal the cause of liver scarring in these individuals. Although people with this type of liver disease do not consume alcohol in excess, the fibrosis found in the liver’s tissue is reminiscent of that found in a person suffering from alcoholic liver disease.
Cryptogenic cirrhosis may be caused by another type of liver disease known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is a buildup of fat in the liver. Like cryptogenic cirrhosis, individuals with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are not heavy drinkers and some do not consume alcohol at all. In fact, some of the youngest victims of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are children. NASH is often described as a slow and silent killer since most people afflicted with it are not aware of its presence before being diagnosed with advanced liver scarring.
Cryptogenic cirrhosis is one of the most common reasons for a person receiving a liver transplant. For most people, when cirrhosis is detected in its early stages, there is a chance of stopping the conditions leading to the scarring and, thus, salvaging the liver. This is not necessarily the case for individuals diagnosed with this type of cirrhosis, however, since the cause is not always pinpointed in time to correct the issue and prevent further damage. Also, even after liver transplantation, people with cirrhosis caused by NASH tend to develop liver scarring once again on the transplanted liver.
Theoretically, cryptogenic cirrhosis can affect people of any age. Studies indicate, however, that it is most commonly discovered in individuals age 60 and older. Also, in cases where cirrhosis was caused by NASH, there appears to be a slow progression between the two conditions.
While the initial diagnosis may be inflammation and scarring due to unidentified causes, doctors eventually do find what is causing liver scarring in some patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis. Besides NASH, the most common causes of this condition are obesity and diabetes. Also, in cases where cirrhosis was preceded by NASH, there is research to indicate that NASH was actually caused by type 2 diabetes or obesity.
Some of the symptoms of cryptogenic cirrhosis include fatigue, unintended or unexplained weight loss, jaundice, fever, abdominal swelling and bloody stools. Preceding cirrhosis, the symptoms of NASH may include similar symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue and weakness. A full medical examination of individuals experiencing these symptoms is the only way to determine whether a person is afflicted with either.
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anon263260
Post 4 |
My mother has this condition and one thing this article does not mention is the changes to their mental capacity over time. She was diagnosed back in 2004 and I have watched this illness age her and take over her body. She does all that she can to keep her ammonia levels down, which can trigger bouts of dementia. But we are seeing that it's now getting beyond her control. I don't wish this disease on anyone. I check every so often to see if there is more awareness in regards to this disease, but unfortunately, there is none. |
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ddljohn
Post 3 |
I think this type of cirrhosis is more dangerous than cirrhosis caused by excessive alcohol consumption. I agree with the article that it's harder to have an early diagnosis with cryptogenic cirrhosis since the cause is not known.
People who consume too much alcohol are more likely to have their livers checked out to see if any damage has been done to it. But with cryptogenic cirrhosis it lurks and probably won't get diagnosed until the liver disease symptoms show up.
Maybe if scientists discover that cryptogenic cirrhosis is hereditary, that might give people a reason to get checked out annually. |
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turquoise
Post 2 |
When I was young, everyone thought that cirrhosis could only be caused by too much alcohol. I actually had a great uncle pass away from this condition. He developed it a short time before he passed away in his late 80s. He also had Alzheimer's during the last stages of cryptogenic cirrhosis of the liver.
I remember my family members asking him not to drink whenever we went to visit him. He would insist that he doesn't drink and hasn't drank in a long time. But no one believed him! Everyone thought that he drank in secret and maybe even forgot about it later.
If he had been around now, I'm sure no one would have questioned him about this since it's been proven that cryptogenic cirrhosis isn't caused by alchohol.
I know that we still haven't figured out what does cause it, but at least we're more knowledgeable about it than we were several decades ago. |
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anamur
Post 1 |
Not all people with NASH develop cryptogenic cirrhosis right?
My dad has NASH and we're not sure why. He has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes recently but he had fatty liver even before his diabetes. So his condition is even more confusing.
My dad's theory is that his NASH is due to anesthesia that he must have inhaled while he worked as an anesthesia technician. He worked for 15 years and was responsible for giving patients anesthesia during surgery.
I don't know if his theory is true but from what I understand, there doesn't have to be any specific cause for someone to develop NASH. All we hope for now is that his liver doesn't become more fatty.
What are the chances of my dad developing cirrhosis of the liver because of his NASH? |
