Cirrhosis refers to a condition that occurs when large areas of the liver become permanently damaged because of scar tissue. This scar tissue replaces normal, healthy tissue and blocks the flow of blood through the liver and prevents it from working correctly.
The liver is an organ that performs many important functions. Some key functions include filtering waste and poisons, processing nutrients, storing fuel, and producing bile. Because the liver does so many important things for your body, you can't live without one.
Similar to other organs, the liver can become damaged. When liver cells are first damaged, the immune system sends in special white blood cells in response to the injury. This often causes the liver cells to swell, and this process is called inflammation.
As the liver tries to repair itself, it can form scar tissue. Cirrhosis means that large areas of the liver have become badly scarred -- usually permanently. This causes the liver to shrink and harden.
Scar tissue cannot do what healthy liver tissue does -- make protein, help fight infections, clean the blood, help digest food, and store energy for when you need it. Scar tissue also blocks the normal flow of blood through the liver.
Cirrhosis can happen as the result of many long-term liver conditions. The two most common causes are alcohol abuse and
hepatitis C. Some other possible causes of cirrhosis include:
Sometimes the cause of cirrhosis remains unknown, even after a thorough medical examination.
During the early stages of cirrhosis, a person may not even know that his or her liver is being damaged. He or she may not have any symptoms or notice any physical changes in his or her body. If someone does have cirrhosis symptoms, they might include:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Exhaustion
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain).
As the liver continues to be damaged and scarred, it may stop performing one or more of its normal functions. For example, it may stop cleaning harmful wastes, toxins, and drugs from the blood. The liver may also stop making enough of the proteins your body needs to function properly.
When the liver becomes badly damaged with cirrhosis, several problems can begin to happen:
- Fluid can build up in the stomach area and legs
- The intestines may start to bleed
- With time, mental function can also slow down.
In order to make a cirrhosis diagnosis, your healthcare provider will ask a number of questions and perform a physical exam to look for signs and symptoms of the disease.
If your healthcare provider suspects cirrhosis, he or she will order certain tests to help confirm the diagnosis. Some of these tests may include:
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound
- Liver biopsy.
Other tests may be recommended to look for the specific cause.
The treatment for cirrhosis depends on the cause and the other problems a person is experiencing. Unfortunately, liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed. However, treatment can stop or delay further progression and reduce complications.
In all cases, regardless of the cause, following a healthy diet
(see Cirrhosis Diet) and avoiding alcohol are essential, because the body needs all the nutrients it can get, and alcohol will only lead to more liver damage. Light physical activity can also help stop or delay the disease.
No matter what the cause of cirrhosis is, when too much of the liver is permanently damaged, waste and poisons can no longer be filtered, nutrients can't be processed, and fuel cannot be stored. If this happens, a liver transplant is the best way to treat it.
Complications Seen With Cirrhosis
There can be many negative effects as a result of cirrhosis. These complications may include:
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