Abstract This paper takes a look at cirrhosis, or liver disease, the causes of the disease and the effects that the disease has on the human body. This paper also takes a look at the possible complications caused by cirrhosis, as well as the various available treatments.
Outline:
Cirrhosis Causes
Signs and Symptoms
Complications
Diagnosis and Imaging Modalities
Treatment
Conclusions
Diagrams of the Liver
From the Paper "Both genetic and lifestyle factors can cause alcoholic cirrhosis. About 50% of the cases of cirrhosis belong to this condition. Liver's capacity can be overworked by chemical and drug overload leading to scarring. A possible cause is any illness that injures the liver like viral hepatitis B and C and chronic active hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis. A secondary condition to a very old bile duct obstruction and jaundice is an autoimmune condition described as biliary cirrhosis or cirrhosis. A condition called Sarcoidosis that looks like tuberculosis can cause cirrhosis. This is presently considered an autoimmune disease. One more cause is heart failure causing blood to pool in the liver and this overcrowding can cause cirrhosis. (Cirrhosis: www.gutdoc.org)"
Abstract The paper defines hepatitis - a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. It discusses symptoms of the disease, causes and prognosis and how it is treated. The paper shows that the best prevention is safety precautions.
From the Paper "The practice of sharing needles should be avoided, as should the practice of sharing personal care items that may have blood on them. Getting a tattoo or body piercing should be carefully considered. There is a risk of infection if the tools have someone else's blood on them or if the artist or piercer does not follow good health practices. Donating blood, organs, or tissue if you have hepatitis B should be avoided. Health care or public safety workers should be vaccinated against hepatitis B, and should always follow routine barrier precautions and safely handle needles and other sharps (Center for Disease Control, n.d.)."
Abstract Digestion consists of a physical and chemical breakdown of food. Because of the complexity and large size of the digestive system, diseases that can interfere with the body system are numerous and varied in their modes of transmission, their symptoms, their treatments, and their possible short-term and long-term effects. This paper focuses on three such diseases: Cirrhosis of the liver (caused by viral Hepatitis), hookworm disease (caused by hookworms), and cholera (caused by Vibrio cholerae). Each disease is examined in turn, its symptoms and its treatment. The diseases are summarized in a table at the end of the paper.
From the Paper "The large size of the digestive system, along with the diverse group of organs associated with it; prevent the presentation of one specific defense mechanism against diseases. Depending on which organ the disease tends to focus on, the body reacts uniquely for that organ. However, the most definitive action taken against digestive system diseases are regulations and standards for living conditions. Many diseases that affect the digestive system relate directly to food, and undercooked food, mishandled food, and poor sanitation conditions are common factors in someone contracting a digestive system illness."
Abstract This paper aims to identify a correlation between gender and alcoholic consumption by analyzing gender-related data concerning alcohol consumption and determining correlations not only between gender and alcohol consumption, but also between the issues within gender that might play as catalysts to the alcohol consumption. Through analyzing the results of different studies, it shows that the social, psychological and economic factors influencing the drinking of the genders differ in many ways. It discusses whether there really is a gender gap despite the fact that many studies show that men consume far more alcohol than women and examines changes in alcoholic consumption trends, it seems that women are consuming more alcohol today than in the past.
It looks at the differences in consequences of alcoholic consumption between genders and how the reasons why women drink, the way they drink, the way it affects their bodies, and the way they recover is entirely different than for men.
From the Paper "The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has applied various methods of research regarding gender differences in response to alcohol consumption. According to NIAAA, alcohol research involving humans has traditionally been mainly focused on males. Only in recent years have studies realized the importance of including women in this topic.
Early conclusions from alcohol-related studies reveal increased vulnerability of women to damage by alcohol. NIAAA reports that within a shorter period of drinking and with less overall intake of alcohol, females are more vulnerable to the development of liver cirrhosis and brain damage due to alcohol abuse (Norton et al. 1987)."
Abstract This paper discusses the physiological basis for portal hypertension and relates this condition to the development of ascites, esophageal varices, and splenomegaly in patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. Medical journals are cited to support the information presented.
This paper describes the basic functions and structures of the liver with an emphasis on the processes involving the liver's ability to detoxify drugs from the bloodstream.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 89.95
Abstract This paper discusses the detoxification process considering the role of alcohol in liver-damage, including the severity of scarring, and cirrhosis of the liver, each of which are a result of excess toxins in the liver. The author reviews recent research on liver-function regeneration in light of the difficulties in of obtaining liver transplants.
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of alcohol. Specifically, it discusses how alcohol affects the body. Alcohol affects the body in a number of ways, and many of these affects can have lasting and damaging results. It explains that using alcohol is a choice, and abusing that choice can be deadly.
From the Paper "Most people know that one of the most dangerous and damaging affects of excessive alcohol consumption is liver damage. The abuse of alcohol is the major cause of cirrhosis of the liver in Western countries (Ammerman, 1999, p. 65). Alcohol damages the liver because the liver is the main organ that metabolizes alcohol, and large amounts of alcohol can stress or damage the organ. Eventually, the liver cannot handle the toxic affects of the alcohol, and several diseases can result. The most serious is cirrhosis, which is irreversible. Clinical features include fatigue and jaundice, and often, the disease is not noted until it is well advanced. A liver transplant is really the only cure for cirrhosis, although there are some other medical treatments which can help stop the spread of the disease, as long as the patients stops drinking completely."
Abstract This paper looks at how between 10,000 and 12,000 people die annually who are considered medically suitable for organ donation and how only an estimated 6000 people donate. It discusses how, faced with the demand greatly exceeding the supply, we are faced with the moral and ethical decision of how to allocate these organs. In particular, it focuses on liver transplants and the ethics of giving patients who failed to seek treatment for their alcoholism a lower priority for organs over patients who are in need of a transplant through no fault of their own.
From the Paper "Individuals with a reversible disease such as alcoholism should seek help before it progresses into the stage where transplantation is necessary. Alcoholism is a chronic disease, for which treatment is available and effective. Alcoholics should be held responsible for seeking and obtaining treatment that could prevent the development of late-stage complications such as the development of late-stage complications such as ARESLD. This view is consistent with that of Alcoholics Anonymous in the belief that alcoholics are responsible for undertaking a program of recovery that will keep their disease of alcoholism in remission. One comprehensive review concluded that more than two thirds of patients who accept therapy improve (Steinbock, Arras, and London, 2003)."
Abstract Every year three to four million people get infected with Hepatitis C. This paper provides an overview of the disease, including how it is transmitted, the effects on the body, how one knows one is affected and possible cures.
Outline
Hepatitis C
A. Transmission
1. Blood Transfusions
2. Risk of Sex and Intravenous Drugs
3. Working in the Health Care Field
B. Physical Effects
1. Cirrhosis 2. Exhaustion
C. Blood Tests
1. Types of Tests
2. What to Look For
D. Treatments
1. No Cure; Current Research
2. Interferon and Ribavirin
3. Side Effects
4. Options if Treatment Fails
5. Support Groups
From the Paper "Support groups are important for patients going through treatment to have others understand what they are going through. They are also great for people who just learned that they or a loved one is infected with the virus. Also, people can share ways that help them cope with the reality of having this horrible virus by, "understanding that you're not alone in dealing with this confusing, often frustrating condition,"(Roybal, 104)."
Abstract In this paper, the author takes a case study of a family, where the husband/father is a drunk. The author defines the mother and children as codependents for a number of reasons. Mainly it is because the family covers up for the drinking problem of the husband/father and defends him to others, which makes him feel that the family is supporting his problem. The paper continues to discuss this co-dependency which is often known as a family disease. The author suggests that many times, either through ignorance or fear, individuals and/or families may actually prevent an alcoholic from fully facing the fact of a drinking problem. In this particular case study, the author tells us that the drunk died of cirrhosis of the liver as a result of the heavy drinking. The author concludes that by attending a counseling support program and supporting each other, the family that the drunk left behind, is likely to move forward on a path that is free of co-dependence.
From the Paper "Patrick got married at the age of 18 years, during his prime. He and his wife, Martha, a 27 year old woman, had five children during the course of 8 years. Throughout their marriage Patrick had a need to hide from others and began to associate only with people who drank. Patrick began to cheat on his wife and seek the company of other women, after he and Martha had their third child. Martha was well aware of her husbands drinking and cheating ways early on in their courtship; however, she felt that as time went on, things would get better. Martha knew her husband had, over the years, become an alcoholic; however, she still wanted to attempt to save the marriage."
This paper discusses issues of good health: Proper nutrition and exercise and the negative effects of smoking, alcohol and performance enhancing steroids.
Abstract This paper relates that increasing complexity means that nutrition researchers today advocate a holistic approach; therefore, its is best to eat a wide variety of fresh, unprocessed and un-manufactured food. The author points out that people who are exposed to second-hand or side-stream smoke also are at risk for health issues because this smoke not only contains the same dangerous contaminants as the inhaled smoke but also the exhaled smoke particles are smaller and can reach distant sites in the lungs of involuntary or passive smoker, doing great harm. The paper stresses that alcohol abuse can affect nearly every organ system in the body, such as cirrhosis of the liver, aggravate existing condition, such as diabetes and harm every aspect of the person's life, including family conflict, arrests, job instability and psychological symptoms related to depression and anxiety.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Proper Nutrition
The Importance of Proper Exercise
Negative Side Effects of Smoking
Negative Side Effects of Alcohol
Negative Effects of Performance Enhancing Steroids
From the Paper "There are many common myths surrounding exercise, some of which have a basis in reality, while others are simply false. For example some believe that doing sit-ups is the best way to reduce belly fat, however, this is not true, sit-ups may improve the size and shape of core muscles and reduce the appearance of belly fat, however, the belly fat will often be the last fat removed from the body, because most of the energy derived from fat gets to the muscle through the bloodstream and reduces stored fat in the entire body. Another myth is that only overweight people or people in ill health need to consult a physician before beginning an exercise program. Even apparently healthy people may have unknown medical conditions, such as a heart murmur, that can cause severe injury or death."
Abstract This paper discusses the long-term effects of alcohol consumption on the organs of the body. The paper explains that these effects include damage to the liver such as fatty liver, cirrhosis and hepatitis C. The paper also examines the effects on the skeleton, the cardiovascular system, muscles and the brain. Additionally, the paper discusses the differences between effects on males and females.
From the Paper "Long-term alcohol abuse has harmful effects on many of the organ systems of the body. The organ systems most affected by alcohol are the liver, the immune system, the cardiovascular system and the skeletal system but other systems are also affected. Alcohol works in three ways to cause damage to the body; by reducing food intake alcohol consumption leads to poor nutrition, toxic breakdown products of alcohol in the body can damage cells and tissues; and the constant presence of alcohol in the body can result..."
