bih.button.backtotop.text
HomeConditions & TreatmentsConditionsCirrhosis

Cirrhosis

Find a Doctor

Send an Inquiry

Send an Inquiry

Book Appointment
Information Treatments Centers

Cirrhosis is a condition which results from permanent damage or scarring of the liver. The scar tissue that forms in the liver prevents the liver from working properly by affecting its ability to produce proteins, store vitamins and minerals and eliminate toxins, as well as blocking the normal flow of blood through the liver.  

Causes of Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is caused by several factors, including:
  • Chronic alcohol abuse
  • Hepatitis B, C and D
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Iron build up in the body
  • Wilson’s disease caused by an accumulation of copper in the liver
  • Obstruction of the bile ducts, causing bile to back up in the liver, scarring the liver and developing into cirrhosis
  • Fatty liver, causing chronic inflammation of the liver and cirrhosis
  • Long-term exposure to certain medications
  • Long-term exposure to toxins
  • Repeated bouts of heart failure
Most people have few or no symptoms from cirrhosis, but complications do occur based on the stage of evolution of the disease. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
  • Fatigue, loss of appetite with possible nausea and weight loss
  • Irregular menstruation in women; enlarged breast tissue and loss of sexual drive in men
  • Swelling in the legs or abdomen due to low albumin levels and a build-up of fluid in the legs or abdominal cavity
  • Bruising or bleeding easily due to a decrease in the proteins needed for blood clotting
  • Jaundice or yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes caused by an accumulation of the pigment melanin
  • Intense itching of the skin due to bile products being deposited in the skin
  • Mental disturbances as the liver no longer filters out toxins effectively, causing the toxins to build up in the blood, and causing mental impairment, such as poor concentration or forgetfulness
  • Sensitivity to medicines as the liver does not filter medications as effectively as normal, sometimes resulting in the build-up of medications in the body and potentially increasing the effects of the medication
  • Massive bleeding in the stomach or esophagus due to abnormal blood flow, an issue which is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention
The goals of treatment are to slow down the progression of scar tissue in the liver and to prevent complications by treating the underlying cause. The doctor treats the condition; however, the patients should be careful to limit additional damage that can lead to liver failure.
 
  • Stop drinking alcohol
  • Avoid medications and substances that increase damage to the liver
  • Avoid raw food, particularly raw seafood, due to possible bacterial infection
  • Eat a proper amount of protein and choose lean protein such as fish, or legume protein such as soy, etc.
  • Avoid adding salt to meals if swelling in the legs and abdomen
  • Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, influenza, and pneumonia, because cirrhosis makes it more difficult for patients to fight off infections
  • See a doctor for monitoring the condition

Doctors Related

Related Centers

Digestive Disease (GI) Center

Learn more

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Learn more

Related Packages

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

SEND AN INQUIRY

BOOK APPOINTMENT
Rating score 8.95 of 10, based on 21 vote(s)

Related Health Blogs

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: Minimally Invasive GI Care

Discover Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)—a minimally invasive way to treat early digestive cancers and lesions safely, with quicker recovery and fewer risks than surgery.

Digestive-Disease

Read more

Understanding Focal Liver Lesions: What You Need to Know

Focal liver lesions (FLLs) are abnormal areas of tissue within the liver, often discovered incidentally during imaging tests. With the increased use of imaging technologies, many people are finding liver lesions, even if they do not have symptoms.

Digestive-DiseaseLiver-Disease

Read more

Pancreatic Cancer Screening: Who Needs It and When?

Pancreatic cancer, ranking as the 12th most common cancer globally, presents unique challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. Screening for pancreatic cancer is crucial, especially for those at high risk.

Digestive-DiseasePancreatic-Cancer

Read more