Cirrhosis

Overview

Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver malfunctions due to chronic injury, and scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue.

There are multiple possible causes of cirrhosis. Examples include alcohol-related liver disease, hepatitis C, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis, and some inherited diseases.

Many people with cirrhosis have no early symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, nausea, and abdominal pain.

Cirrhosis treatments try to stop the progression of scar tissue and further complications. Treatments may include the avoidance of alcohol and drugs, and nutrition therapy.

Applicable Procedures

Liver Biopsy

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There are multiple causes of cirrhosis of the liver. These include long term alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, iron buildup in the body, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, immune conditions, issues with bile ducts, genetic disorders, infections, and certain medications. Chronic hepatitis is a risk factor for cirrhosis, and it is actually one of the top causes of liver disease. Being obese and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol also increase your risk of cirrhosis.

How is cirrhosis of the liver treated?

The aim of treatment for cirrhosis is to slow the progression of the condition and treat complications of the disease. If caught early, treating underlying causes can prevent further damage to the liver. For example, treatment for alcohol abuse can reduce toxic effects on the liver. Those who are overweight can improve their liver health by following a healthier diet to control weight and reduce the effects of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Some people may also need medications to treat underlying health conditions, like hepatitis, to reduce the risk of further liver damage. Others may require medications to treat infections, fluid buildup, or accumulation of toxins. In advanced stages of cirrhosis, the only treatment option is a liver transplant from a healthy donor.

What are the complications of cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis can lead to a variety of complications, including portal hypertension, which is high blood pressure in veins responsible for supplying blood to the liver. Portal hypertension can cause swelling in the legs and stomach, enlarged spleen, and severe bleeding. Other complications of cirrhosis include infections, malnutrition, bone disease, increased cancer risk, and a condition called jaundice, which causes eyes and skin to appear yellow. In some cases, a liver that is damaged by cirrhosis cannot clear toxins effectively, which causes them to build up in the brain, leading to confusion, concentration problems, and even coma.

Common Symptoms

“I started to feel extremely tired, and I noticed that I was bruising easily and had no appetite.”
“I noticed changes to my appearance, such as yellowing of my skin, spider like blood vessels, redness on my palms, and swelling in my legs. I was also itchy all the time.”
“In addition to losing my appetite and dropping weight, I felt nauseous, and my stomach was swollen.”

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What They Are Saying

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Excellent

Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

Based on 6261 reviews

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Dino P.

Dr. Donat and team are great! Professional, caring, friendly, truly the best experience.

K B.

Everyone in the building works to both help and make you feel comfortable in the whole process

Jeanette Y.

The Center was an excellent experience from Roger and Brittany my nurses to the procedure room and Anesthetist, all was smooth. Very caring team and of course a fabulous physician, Dr Weber! Highly recommend this site and team!

Brad G.

From Dr. Bologna, to the staff all very knowledgeable, professional and nice people. I felt very comfortable and cared for. See ya in five years!

delshawn J.

The staff was Absolutely amazing! Everyone went above and beyond to make me comfortable.

Jane B.

Great caring staff handled professionally. I will continue care at this location with Dr Donat and his staff.

Nicole G.

Staff was great! Very pleasant. Dr. Weber was fantastic! He listened to my questions and answered every one. I didn't feel rushed and he was very kind.

Marlene D.

Very kind, pleasant help, from sign in, and each and every assistant and nurse. And Dr Q set me at ease, thank you. I also appreciated the follow up phone call at home.

Debbie C.

This office is run professional with friendly patient care. My call out to Amy, Nick, Jorden, Nicole, and Dr. Tocco. They all treated me with gentle respectful care. During my prep stage (which is the unpleasant part) I had some questions and called the office. Sherrie answered all of my questions and helped calm an advance middle aged lady down! You guys are the best!

Elaine M.

I was surprised I didn't have to wait very long to see the Dr because the last place I went to kept me waiting about 2 hours. Very positive experience.

Darrell P.

Staff was great they made my procedure easy . Thank You

Ed L.

The peope were very professional and courteous. I would highly recommend this location

Bob S.

Staff was very friendly and PROFESSIONAL. Bob S

dennis W.

Staff was very friendly and answered every question. Felt very comfortable!

David S.

It was a fast and efficient experience.Everyone was very professional and helpful.

Thom S.

The entire staff was helpful and attentive to my needs. The procedure was very thorough and everyone made the experience one that remediated any fears I might have had. The smiles were contagious.

Susan P.

Staff here are great! Very friendly and willing to answer any and all questions.

Sharon O.

All of the staff are very professional. They keep the patient informed every step of the way.

Russell B.

Efficient, compassionate, knowledgeable, and pleasant.

Lisa L.

The staff were all friendly and professional. Procedure was quick yet they let me take as long as I needed to recover.

Richard M.

very friendly and professional they make sure you understand everything about your procedure and take time to be sure you understand the results

Rick H.

Great doctor and an excellent staff

Pamela P.

Everyone I came in contact with was courteous, helpful, and knowledgable, and I felt comfortable.

Vincent K.

I appreciated being told at registration what the planned schedule was for my procedure. And it was pretty much on time. Also, the nurses who prepared me and discharged me were very professional and most pleasant.

Allison B.

Great experience for me here. Staff took care of me with straightforwardness and compassion, which I appreciate during medical visits. Slight hiccup with IV placement in one arm, but efficient at getting the other arm hooked up quickly and without issue. Great, pre- and post-care (and I can assume during, too, but I was napping, so...). 🙂 I highly recommend Center for Digestive Health.

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

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Kim H.

They’re like a fine oil machine someone to take care of all your needs make it comfortable and that’s over and done and you’re great

Anna M.

Everyone was very pleasant

Kimberly N.

I have been here twice and both times I have had a wonderful experience. When you need to get a colonoscopy, go here!!!!

Diana T.

Everyone was professional and compassionate. They addressed all of my concerns and questions

Our Doctors

We’re proud of our team here at Digestive Health Institute. Our health care providers include some of the very best colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and physician assistants. To learn more about our qualified team of specialists, please visit our providers page.

Amir Abadir MD, FRCPC

Anezi E. Bakken MD, MS

Sante D. Bologna MD, FACP

M. Emin Donat MD, FRCPC

Partha S. Nandi

Jack Tocco DO

John R. Weber MD

Richard T. Wille MD

Tusar Desai MD

Aalia Saeed, MD

FAQs

What happens during my first visit?

If you are a new patient, you can expect to have a complete physical exam. You will also be asked detailed questions about your current problems and your past medical history, your current medications, allergies, your family history and other pertinent medical information. If you are taking medications, please bring a completed medical history form with you to your appointment. Once the physician has reviewed your medical information and completed the physical examination, a plan of care will be developed. You may need to be seen again in the office, be referred back to your family physician for follow-up care, or require additional testing. If additional tests are needed, we will assist you in scheduling these tests.

What if I need to schedule an endoscopic procedure?

An endoscopic procedure allows the physician to visualize a part of your gastrointestinal tract with a special instrument called an endoscope. If your family physician has ordered testing, you will be contacted by telephone by one of our staff members. If a physician orders testing and you are in the office, the procedure can generally be scheduled during the course of your visit. You will be given a date, time, and location for the test, as well as written instructions telling you how to prepare for the test. If you have any questions about the procedure, please feel free to ask one of our staff members or the physician.

How do I get test results?

We ask that you wait 10 to 14 days before contacting us for results. Often results come from several different sources. This information needs to be compiled and reviewed by your physician before you can be appropriately advised.

What insurances do you accept?

We accept payment from most insurance companies including Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Physicians Health Plan, Cofinity, Sparrow Professional Health Network, Medicaid, McLaren, Health Plus, and several others. Accepted insurances are subject to change at any time without notice.

If your insurance requires an authorization from your primary care physician, you may be asked to assist us in obtaining this authorization.

All patients are responsible for all copays and deductibles at the time of service.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or insurance coverage, please contact our Billing Department at 248-844-9710.

What if I need to contact the doctor?

To contact your doctor during business hours please call our main number 248-844-9710. If you have an urgent need to speak with the doctor after hours, you will be rerouted to our after hours answering service, and your doctor will be paged. In the case of a medical emergency please proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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