Symptoms include yellowing of the skin (jaundice), itching, and fatigue.

The prognosis is good for some people with cirrhosis of the liver, and the survival can be up to 12 years; however the life expectancy is about 6 months to 2 years for people with severe cirrhosis with major complications.

Edema is the swelling of tissues as a result of excess water accumulation. Peripheral edema occurs in the feet and legs. There are two types of edema, non-pitting edema and pitting edema. Causes of pitting edema is caused by systemic diseases (most commonly involving the heart, liver, and kidneys), and medications. Local conditions that cause edema are thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Edema or swelling of the legs, feet, ankles, and face are common during pregnancy. Idiopathic edema is edema in which the cause is not known. Pitting edema is scored on pitting edema measurement scales. Edema is generally treated with medication.

• losing consciousness,
• shaking,
• moving limbs on both sides of the body,
• lasts 1-2 minutes.

Lasix is the brand name for the generic drug furosemide. Lasix is a diuretic medicine that doctors prescribe to treat excess accumulation of fluid or swelling of the body (edema) caused by:

• Cirrhosis
• Chronic kidney failure
• Heart failure
• Nephrotic syndrome.

Doctors also prescribe Lasix in conjunction with other high blood pressure pills to patients to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Profound diuresis with water and electrolyte depletion can occur if Lasix drug is given in excess amounts. Other side effects and adverse effects of this medicine include:

• Gut (gastrointestinal or GI) reactions like pancreatitis, jaundice, anorexia, cramping, diarrhea, constipation , nausea, and vomiting.
• Systemic hypersensitivity reactions like severe anaphylactic shock, necrotizing angiitis, and interstitial nephritis.
• CNS (central nervous system) reactions like vertigo, headaches, blurred vision, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
• Blood reactions like anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and eosinophilia.
• Hypersensitive skin reactions like rash, itching, hives, photosensitivity, exfoliative dermatitis, and Steven-Johnson syndrome.
• Heart reactions like orthostatic hypotension (fainting or dizziness when standing up) and an increase in triglyceride and cholesterol levels

Other reactions include weakness, muscle spasms, thrombophlebitis, fever, and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Furosemide is available as tablets of 20 mg to 80 mg, and IV form. Your doctor will determine your dosage based on your medical condition. This medication interacts with certain with drugs like cisplatin (Platinol-AQ)), cyclosporine, lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), methotrexate (Rheumtrex, Trexall), phenytoin, antibiotics, heart and blood pressure medications, laxatives, steroids, and salicylates like aspirin. Tell your doctor or other health care professional about any vitamins or supplements you are taking. Researchers don't know if Lasix harms the fetus so talk with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. This drug can be passed on to your newborn while breastfeeding and may harm your baby. It also may slow breast milk production so talk with your doctor before breastfeeding.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.

Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.

The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.

If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.

REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.

High blood pressure (hypertension) medications include drugs from a variety of different drug classes and types.

• ACE inhibitors
• ARB (angiotensin receptor blockers)
• Beta blockers
• Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
• Diuretics
• Alpha-blockers
• Alpha-beta blockers

Clonidine (Catapres) and minoxidil also are drugs prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. Side effects, warnings and precautions, safety information, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.

• paralysis of the vocal cords,
• difficulty swallowing thin liquids,
• difficulty breathing,
• and drug reactions.

• damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve,
• bleeding or hematoma,
• problems maintaining calcium levels in the blood,
• need for further and more aggressive surgery,
• need for a limited or total thyroidectomy,
• prolonged pain,
• impaired healing,
• and recurrence of the tumor.

Aldactone (spironolactone) is classified as a potassium-sparing diuretic. It is prescribed for the treatment of congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease. It can also be used in combination with other drugs to treat diuretic induced low potassium and high blood pressure. Side effects include:

• Vomiting
• Impotence
• Nausea
• Rash
• Diarrhea
• Headache

Drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.