Overview

Cirrhosis is a long-term liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is slowly replaced by scar tissue. This scarring alters the liver's normal structure, making it harder for the liver to perform essential functions such as detoxification, protein production, and metabolism. Long-term damage to the liver is what usually causes cirrhosis to happen over many years. As the disease worsens, blood flow through the liver slows, which can cause problems. People with different liver diseases can get cirrhosis, and it may not show any symptoms in the early stages. To slow the progression of the disease and avoid potentially life-threatening complications, it is important to detect and treat it early.

Symptoms
At first, cirrhosis may not cause any symptoms at all. People may feel tired, weak, lose their appetite, and feel sick as their liver damage gets worse. Advanced symptoms include yellowing of the skin, swelling of the legs and abdomen, easy bruising, itching, and dark urine. Toxin buildup can cause confusion or memory problems. In serious cases, bleeding can happen inside the body.

Causes
Chronic alcohol use and long-term viral hepatitis are the two most common causes of cirrhosis. Obesity and diabetes can also cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is another big problem. Autoimmune liver disorders, genetic conditions, bile duct diseases, and prolonged exposure to toxins or specific medications can also result in progressive liver scarring.

Diagnosis
A physical exam, medical history, and liver function tests are part of the diagnosis. Ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI are examples of imaging studies that can detect structural changes. A liver biopsy is done in some cases to confirm cirrhosis and find out how much scarring there is.

Treatment
The goal of treatment is to slow the progression of the disease, control symptoms, and prevent complications. You need to make lifestyle changes, such as quitting drinking, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a balanced diet. Medications can be used to treat the underlying causes and help keep complications such as fluid buildup or infections under control. In more serious cases, a liver transplant may be needed.
The stage and cause of cirrhosis affect how it will turn out. Early treatment can slow the disease's progression and improve quality of life. Advanced cirrhosis is very dangerous, but regular checkups and the right care can help people live longer.