Cirrhosis causes Hepatorenal Syndrome. How?

Cirrhosis causes severe liver scarring that makes it completely dysfunctional at its terminal stage or when exposed to alcohol or viral infections for long-term.

Do you know? If a person is a cirrhotic patient, then the chances of development of Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS) with ascites are 8-20% each year which rises to 40 percent after 5 years.

What is Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS)?

Hepatorenal Syndrome is a type of renal failure that occurs in people with advanced liver disease, mostly caused by cirrhosis. As the pair of kidneys filter out waste from the body, therefore, once it stops functioning properly, waste starts to build up in the body which leads to renal failure.

Does Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS) have any types? If yes, define them.

Depending on the severity of the kidneys, HRS is of two types. Type 1 HRS is related to progressive kidney failure which happens due to excess production of creatinine. Type 2 HRS is associated with subacute kidney failure that progresses slowly and steadily.

Experts say that type 1 HRS patients survive for a maximum two weeks while type 2 HRS patients survive upto six months. According to a team of the best Gastroenterologists in New Delhi, type 1 HRS patients can survive for a longer period of time if a liver transplant is performed as quickly as possible.

Is Hepatorenal Syndrome curable? What are its possible signs or symptoms?

If you experience HRS symptoms, then seek medical professional help immediately as they need quick medical emergency. Following are its symptoms:

• The confused state of mind
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sudden weight gain
• Dementia
• Jaundice: Yellowish skin color
• Decreased urination
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Dark-colored urine

What causes Hepatorenal Syndrome?

Hepatorenal Syndrome is a complicated liver disease which is mainly caused by cirrhosis of the liver. The occurrence of cirrhosis is directly proportional to hepatorenal syndrome. Other causes are as follows:

• Fluctuation in the blood pressure levels
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Other infections in the kidneys
• Acute alcoholic hepatitis
• Use of diuretics
• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

What are the factors helpful in diagnosing HRS?

If you experience any early possible signs or symptoms, then it’s best to get it diagnosed at its earliest. Your doctor may look into the following signs:

• Fluid buildup in the abdomen
• Swelling in the breast tissue
• Sores on the skin
• Jaundice

Your doctor may also conduct blood and urine tests that will help him to discover the status of your liver and kidney functioning abilities. Somehow, if cirrhosis isn’t the cause behind HRS, then your doctor may conduct additional tests to diagnose if it’s alcoholic or viral hepatitis.

What are the treatments required to cure hepatorenal syndrome?

• The treatment is performed according to the cause that is affecting you. To normalize the blood pressure level that usually remains low, you are given prescribed medications called vasoconstrictors.
• Dialysis can also be performed to improve the functioning of the pair of the kidneys. It filters out wastes, excess salt and water from the blood.
• In severe cases, liver transplants are performed. However, it is not easily available and the patient has to wait in the waiting list. Sometimes, the patient dies before a liver is available. If the patient gets a liver, then the survival chances are improved at a good rate.

HRS is fatal and complications begin to appear at the end-stage of the kidney disease such as fluid overload, secondary infections as well as organ damage. Sometimes, a person can even go to coma.

Understanding Hepatorenal Syndrome and how to prevent it?

The only natural way to prevent from HRS is to keep your liver healthy. By avoiding drinking excess liquor, you can prevent yourself from cirrhosis.

To prevent yourself hepatitis A and B, get vaccinated regularly. There is no vaccine available to cure hepatitis C. however, you can prevent yourself from hepatitis C by:

• Washing your hands before and after meals, even after shaking hands.
• Asking your sex partner to get tested for hepatitis C.
• Not sharing syringes with anyone.
• Not using illegal, life-threatening drugs.
• Practicing safe sex.

Conclusion:

There are some non-preventive causes of cirrhosis. Therefore, if you’re at risk of developing cirrhosis, consult medical help to get yourself tested. Your doctor may perform some blood and imaging tests to identify the early signs of the condition.