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Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition where scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, making it difficult for the liver to function properly. This scarring is often a result of chronic liver damage caused by various factors like hepatitis B or C, excessive alcohol consumption, or other liver diseases. [1, 2, 3]

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Scarring: The liver’s ability to repair itself after injury can lead to scar tissue formation. As this scarring progresses, it replaces healthy liver cells and disrupts the liver’s normal structure and function. [1, 2]
Chronic Liver Damage: Cirrhosis typically develops after years of chronic liver damage caused by various factors, including: [4]
- Hepatitis: Viral infections like hepatitis B or C can cause chronic inflammation and damage to the liver, leading to scarring. [1, 3, 5, 6]
- Alcohol Abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption is a major contributor to liver scarring and cirrhosis. [1, 7]
- Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This condition, characterized by fat buildup in the liver, can also progress to cirrhosis. [3, 8]
- Other Liver Diseases: Conditions like biliary disease or autoimmune liver diseases can also cause cirrhosis. [9, 10, 11]
Impact on Liver Function: As scar tissue replaces healthy tissue, the liver’s ability to filter toxins, produce essential proteins, and metabolize substances is impaired. [2, 3, 12]
Symptoms: Many people with early-stage cirrhosis may not experience noticeable symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms may include: [13, 14, 15]
- Fatigue and weakness. [15]
- Loss of appetite and weight loss. [15]
- Swelling in the abdomen (ascites). [4]
- Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles. [4]
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). [15]
- Easy bruising and bleeding. [4]
Complications: Advanced cirrhosis can lead to serious complications, including: [4, 16]
- Portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the portal vein). [10, 17]
- Enlarged spleen. [17]
- Esophageal varices (swollen blood vessels in the esophagus) that can rupture and cause bleeding. [10, 17]
- Liver failure. [18]
Treatment: While cirrhosis is a chronic disease, treatment can help slow down the progression of liver damage, manage complications, and improve quality of life. Treatment may include: [19, 20, 21]
- Medications to treat the underlying cause of liver damage. [21]
- Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight. [4, 8, 19]
- Treatment of complications like ascites or portal hypertension. [10, 19]
- Liver transplant in severe cases. [1, 19]