If you’ve been diagnosed with cirrhosis, it’s crucial to get a complete evaluation to understand the stage of your illness. A simple diagnosis is not enough to plan effective treatment. I often see patients from nearby countries sending vague scan results and expecting a treatment plan, which is not feasible. Even locally, incomplete workups make it hard to provide proper care.
With the right information, you can receive better treatment and live longer despite your cirrhosis diagnosis. Let me guide you through the necessary steps.
1. Determine the Cause of Cirrhosis
First, we need to identify why you developed cirrhosis. The most common causes in Bangalore and Chennai are:
Fatty liver disease
Alcohol use
While these causes might seem obvious, it’s still important to test for other potential issues because assumptions can often be wrong. Getting these tests done right after your first consultation is crucial.
2. Identify Complications of Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis can lead to several complications. Your doctor will need to perform a range of tests to identify these complications and treat them appropriately. Here are some major complications to be aware of:
Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen)
Hepatic encephalopathy (confusion due to liver dysfunction)
Variceal bleeding (bleeding from enlarged veins)
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Knowing which complications you have helps in planning your treatment and reducing the risk of severe outcomes.
3. Comprehensive Testing
Our team of liver specialists performs a comprehensive set of tests at the first diagnosis. This approach saves time and helps stabilize the patient quickly, preventing untimely deaths from complications. It’s essential to get all these tests done in one go to understand every aspect of the disease and plan appropriate treatments.
4. Special Tests for Liver Cancer
A CT scan is necessary to check for liver cancer. Specifically, a Triphasic CT scan is needed, but it’s available only at a few centers in cities like Chennai and Bangalore. This specialized test requires careful handling.
5. Assess the Severity of Liver Disease
The next step is to evaluate how severe your liver disease is. This includes:
Liver function tests
Creatinine levels
Blood coagulation tests
These tests help calculate the MELD score, which indicates the severity of liver disease and helps guide treatment decisions.
Conclusion
A complete and correct evaluation of cirrhosis is the first step to managing the disease effectively. Once this step is done well, making treatment decisions becomes easier. Remember, the right tests and evaluations can lead to better care and a longer, healthier life.