[Fan Letters].More than ten years ago, Old Man Chen and Aunt Li in the village chose to divide the room because of their incompatible personalities. Aunt Li lives in the East House, while Old Man Chen lives alone in the West House. Although the lives of the two are in the same house, they are like separate worlds. The children occasionally visited, lamenting the stubbornness of their parents, but there was nothing they could do.
Recently, Old Man Chen was suddenly hospitalized, and his whole body was itching unbearable. After examination, the doctors in the hospital found that Old Man Chen's itching was actually a sign of liver cirrhosis. There is only one bed in the hospital, and when Aunt Li learned about it, she couldn't bear it and decided to take care of it.
At night, the hospital was silent, except for the sound of Old Man Chen's tossing and turning. His itching made it difficult for him to sleep, and Aunt Li listened beside him, scratching his heart with a hundred paws. Years of estrangement seem to have melted away a lot at this moment.
After being discharged from the hospital, Old Man Chen decided to move into Aunt Li's room. When the children saw this, they were overjoyed, thinking that their parents had finally reconciled.
1. Understand itching
*Itching is an extremely uncomfortable sensation, usually accompanied by a tingling or burning sensation. It can occur in various parts of the body, including the scalp, arms, legs, and torso. Although itching is often a defensive physiological response that is used to warn us of potential threats we may encounter, in some cases, it can be an indicator of a health problem within the body.
Itching is usually caused by a variety of factors, including:
**Dry:Lack of adequate moisturizing can lead to itching, especially in cold, dry climates.
Allergic reactions: Some people are allergic to specific foods, drugs, plants, or chemicals, which can cause itching, accompanied by redness, swelling, and rashes.
Insect bites:Mosquito, tick, or other insect bites can cause itching, which is usually accompanied by pain and swelling.
Medications***Some medications may cause itching or other reactions, which may be part of the process, but may also require a doctor's intervention.
2. Cirrhosis of the liver
The main features of cirrhosis are fibrosis and scarring of liver tissue. This means that normal liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue, causing the liver to become hard and lose its elasticity. This scarring causes severe damage to the liver's function, preventing it from performing its vital physiological functions properly.
The liver is an important organ in the human body and has several important functions. One of them is detoxification, where the liver is responsible for removing waste and toxins from the body to maintain a stable internal environment in the body. The liver also plays a key role in synthesizing proteins, storing energy, regulating blood sugar levels, and participating in digestion. These functions are affected when the liver is severely affected by fibrosis and scarring.
3. Correlation between itching and cirrhosis
Long-term itching may be an early symptom of cirrhosis, although this association is not always obvious. Some studies have shown that up to 60% of people with cirrhosis report itching. This itching usually occurs in different parts of the body, but the most common is in the palms and soles of the feet. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, it is theorized that pruritus is associated with cholestasis and abnormalities of nerve endings caused by cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis is a condition that causes fibrosis and scarring of liver tissue, which can be caused by long-term liver damage, such as alcoholism, chronic viral infections, fatty liver disease, or autoimmune liver disease. Although the exact relationship between pruritus and cirrhosis is not fully understood, studies suggest that this itching may be related to cholestasis due to cirrhosis. The liver plays an important role in the production and excretion of bile, and when the liver is damaged, the flow of bile can be blocked, causing bile to build up in the body, triggering a sensation of itching.
4. Other diseases that may cause itching
Kidney problems:The kidneys are the body's detoxification organs and are responsible for removing waste and toxins from the body. When kidney function is impaired, toxins can accumulate in the body, which can lead to symptoms such as itching. This is because the waste products in the body cannot be excreted efficiently, which triggers a ** reaction.
Thyroid problems:These include hyperthyroidism and hypofunction and may also cause itching. Thyroid hormones play an important role in maintaining health, and when hormone levels are abnormal, they can be adversely affected, causing itching.
Diabetes:Persistent high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves, affecting blood and nerve conduction, potentially leading to itching and other problems.
Leukemia:Leukemia is a blood cancer, and some types of leukemia can cause itching during the period. This may be related to the spread of leukemia cells and the spread of the drug.
Autoimmune Diseases:Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome are also associated with itching. These diseases trigger the immune system to attack body tissues, including**, leading to inflammation and itching.
5. How to identify and treat itching symptoms
Seek medical advice:If you experience long-term** itching, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. The doctor can perform a physical examination and further tests depending on the symptoms and possible causes.
Know your family medical historyKnowing if there are liver or other health problems in your family can help your doctor better evaluate what is possible**.
Check liver function:Your doctor may do liver function tests, such as serum bilirubin, liver enzymes, and protein measurements, to assess liver health.
Accept the appropriate **:Once an underlying condition is diagnosed, the doctor will develop a plan to control the itching and deal with the underlying health problem.
Whenever you feel that you have abnormal symptoms in your body, you should pay attention to it and consult your doctor in time. Through active health management, we can take better care of our bodies and ensure a long-term healthy and happy life.
List of high-quality authors