Hepatitis C is an infection that invades the liver. It usually remains as a chronic condition for the rest of a person's life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 3 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C. Treatment and monitoring by a physician can reduce the risk of serious problems from the infection, but complications can develop despite proper disease management.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a serious liver ailment in which healthy liver cells become damaged and scar tissue develops, causing the liver to function poorly. According to the Mayo Clinic, cirrhosis can develop after two to three decades of hepatitis C infection. This renders the liver unable to process nutrients and medications properly. As a result, toxins can accumulate in the bloodstream, eventually damaging the nervous system, including the brain. This can cause the sufferer to become confused and, finally, comatose. The scar tissue that forms in cirrhosis interferes with the blood's ability to flow through the liver. The ensuing pressure in the veins can cause them to burst. The veins in the throat, or esophagus, are especially vulnerable to this pressure and they can develop a life-threatening bleed that is difficult to control.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the main type of liver cancer. It is an infrequent complication of hepatitis C, typically developing two to four decades after initial transmission of the disease, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs describes the symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma as weight loss and pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. The individual can also become excessively tired, and experience vomiting, swelling of the abdomen and yellowed skin. Symptoms usually don't appear until the cancer is at an advanced stage. Liver cancer is often fatal but treatments are available. Some patients are eligible for a liver transplant.
Liver Failure
Some people with hepatitis C develop liver failure, according to the Mayo Clinic. In this condition, the liver becomes unable to function because of extensive damage. Early symptoms include excessive tiredness, diarrhea and a loss of appetite. Yellowed skin, easy bruising and bleeding and confusion signal worsening liver failure. The individual might eventually go into a coma. Some individuals with liver failure are eligible for a liver transplant.
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
- MayoClinic: Hepatitis C
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Chronic Hepatitis C: Current Disease Management
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs: Liver Complications: Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hepatitis C Inforamation for Health Professionals
