As the liver is repeatedly injured, normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis). When scarring becomes widespread and nodules form, the liver becomes cirrhotic. Early (compensated) cirrhosis may have few symptoms. Decompensated cirrhosis can lead to jaundice, ascites, confusion (hepatic encephalopathy), internal bleeding from varices, and an increased risk of liver cancer and death.
Symptoms are often subtle at first (fatigue, easy bruising) and may progress to more obvious signs like fluid retention, jaundice, confusion, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Call the office if you have known liver disease and notice new or worsening swelling, confusion, jaundice, abdominal pain, or changes in your usual symptoms, or if you have questions about surveillance or transplant evaluation.
Seek emergency care for vomiting blood, black/tarry stools, severe shortness of breath, sudden confusion, severe abdominal pain, high fever, or if you feel extremely weak or faint—these can be life-threatening complications.
Evaluation includes identifying the underlying cause (viral hepatitis, alcohol, fatty liver, autoimmune, etc.), assessing the degree of scarring with imaging and blood-based scores, and screening for complications such as varices and liver cancer.
Management focuses on treating the cause, preventing and treating complications, and assessing timing for liver transplantation. Lifestyle choices (no alcohol, vaccinations, careful medication use) are critical to protect remaining liver function.
Si su seguro exige una remisión o una autorización previa, nuestra oficina de facturación hará todo lo posible por obtenerla antes de que se presten los servicios. Si decide continuar sin la autorización requerida, es posible que el seguro deniegue la cobertura. Si es usted un paciente de Medicare, es posible que se le pida que firme un Aviso Previo al Beneficiario (ABN) en el que reconozca su responsabilidad financiera en caso de que el seguro no pague. Si está afiliado a un plan de seguro privado, se le pedirá que firme un formulario de servicios no cubiertos.