Fibrosis

General description of the disease

This is a pathology in which connective tissue, as a result of inflammation, grows in human organs, as a result of which scars are formed. Thus, the body reacts to the inflammatory process and tries to isolate it from the surrounding tissues.

Over time, the affected healed tissues lose sensitivity, and the affected organ cannot perform its functions in full. Typically, fibrosis affects the lungs, liver, prostate, and mammary glands.

At the moment, more than half of patients with fibrosis cannot receive appropriate treatment, since this pathology is difficult to diagnose. The disease is still not well understood. Men are more prone to pulmonary fibrosis than women.

The causes of fibrosis

Fibrous tissue changes occur as a result of the inflammatory process. This pathology can develop after trauma, as an allergic reaction, and weakened immunity can also become the cause of fibrosis.

For each organ, certain factors can be the causes of fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis can cause:

• viral hepatitis;
• excess weight;
• improper diet;
• excessive abuse of alcoholic beverages;
• inflammatory pathologies of the gallbladder;
• malfunction of the immune system.

Pulmonary fibrosis can provoke:

• chemotherapy;
• dusty pulmonary pathologies (asbestosis, silicosis);
• living in an ecologically dirty area;
• pneumonia and tuberculosis;
• uncontrolled intake of antibiotics;
• smoking.

Prostate fibrosis caused by the following factors:

• hormonal imbalance;
• lack or irregular sex life;
• inflammatory diseases of the prostate gland;
• vascular atherosclerosis.

Fibrosis of the mammary glands, as a rule, provokes mastopathy or hormonal disorders.

Fibrosis symptoms

The presented pathology develops rather slowly, therefore, at the first stages, the patient does not feel any discomfort except for constant unmotivated fatigue.

1. 1 liver fibrosis always accompanied by malaise and bruising, even after minor blows. Then there is a feeling of heaviness in the area of ​​the right hypochondrium, digestion is disturbed, in addition, itching and rash are possible;
2. 2 breast fibrosis occurs during a period of hormonal failure, it can be felt only when the seal becomes more than 3-4 mm in size. Typically, the skin changes color at the site of the seal. Fibrosis of the mammary gland is accompanied by pain, sometimes the pain radiates to the shoulder or armpit. There may be discharge from the nipple;
3. 3 signal fibrosis of the uterus there is abundant menstruation, accompanied by pain, as well as discomfort during intercourse;
4. 4 symptom pulmonary fibrosis shortness of breath, pallor of the skin, swelling in the legs, dry, debilitating cough, chest pain, frequent pneumonia and bronchitis;
5. 5 with fibrosis of the pancreas the patient is worried about pain in the left hypochondrium, vomiting, indigestion, flatulence and decreased appetite;
6. 6 fibrotic damage to heart tissue accompanied by arrhythmia, shortness of breath, dizziness, changes in blood pressure indicators;
7. 7 with fibrosis of the prostate men are worried about pulling pains in the lower abdomen, pain during urination, decreased libido;
8. 8 with fibrotic lesions of the lens or retina patients complain of painful sensations, narrowing of the field and visual acuity.

Complications of fibrosis

Complications of fibrosis are the disruption of the affected organs.

• with untimely therapy of liver fibrosis, the patient develops anemia and leukopenia. Perhaps varicose veins of the esophagus with subsequent bleeding. The functioning of the liver deteriorates significantly, liver failure begins;
• pulmonary fibrosis can lead to heart failure, tachycardia, and cyanosis of the skin. Subsequently, chronic respiratory failure may develop with the addition of pneumonia;
• fibrosis of the uterus can degenerate into fibroids;
• Untreated prostate fibrosis can lead to hydronephrosis and kidney failure.

Prevention of fibrosis

To prevent this pathology, you should:

1. 1 quit smoking and drinking alcohol;
2. 2 consult a doctor in time for infectious and inflammatory diseases;
3. 3 take medicines only as prescribed by a doctor, do not self-medicate;
4. 4 optimize the amount of physical activity;
5. 5 use only high-quality drinking water;
6. 6 minimize stress;
7. 7 carry out seasonal vitamin therapy;
8. 8 people with harmful working conditions strictly observe safety precautions.

Fibrosis treatment in mainstream medicine

If you suspect fibrosis, you should immediately consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe an ultrasound scan and analyzes of urine and blood indicators. If necessary, the doctor will order a biopsy.

If liver fibrosis is suspected, the therapist will send the patient for a consultation with a gastroenterologist, who will recommend a fibrotest and fibroelastography. If the lungs are damaged, the patient undergoes computed tomography and chest x-ray. With complaints of pulling chest pains, mammography of the mammary glands is prescribed.

After the diagnosis is established, the doctor recommends normalizing hormonal levels. To slow down the development of the disease, oxygen therapy is prescribed. Then the doctor prescribes medications that the patient needs to use regularly. In some cases, physiotherapy is indicated. Surgical intervention is used in rare cases, only when it is necessary to excise the affected tissue.

Fibrosis therapy generally has the following plan:

• treatment of the underlying disease;
• drug inhibition of the production of fibrous cells;
• relief of inflammation;
• resorption of damaged tissues;
• preventive measures.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!