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Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease characterized by the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue. This scarring is permanent and severe, blocking the flow of blood through the liver and severely impairing the organ's function.
read more about cirrhosis ...The mechanism is long-term inflammation that causes progressive scarring (fibrosis). This process restricts blood flow, leading to high pressure in the portal vein (portal hypertension) and impaired detoxification.
Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite. Swelling of the legs or abdomen due to fluid buildup is common. Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) appears as liver function declines. Itchy skin, easy bruising, and confusion from toxin buildup in the brain can develop. In advanced stages, vomiting blood or dark stools may occur due to high pressure in the veins of the digestive tract. Ongoing medical care is vital to slow progression.
Diagnosis involves blood tests, imaging tests (ultrasound or MRI), and often a liver biopsy. Management focuses on treating the underlying cause, managing complications like ascites, and, for end-stage cases, a liver transplant.
Cirrhosis severely impacts eye health through jaundice. The scarred liver cannot filter bilirubin, causing it to build up in the blood. This pigment deposits heavily in the body, making the sclera (whites of the eyes) turn a distinct yellow color, which is a hallmark sign of liver failure.
The scarred liver restricts blood flow, causing high pressure in the portal vein (portal hypertension). This can lead to internal bleeding from enlarged veins (varices) in the esophagus or stomach, which is a life-threatening complication.
No, the scar tissue is permanent, but stopping the underlying cause (like alcohol use) can prevent further damage.
Jaundice usually indicates that the liver damage is advanced and the organ's filtering function is severely impaired.
No, common causes include chronic hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (MASLD).
If you notice swelling in your abdomen (ascites) or legs, or if you become easily confused (hepatic encephalopathy), seek medical attention. These are signs of "decompensated" cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis require regular ultrasound screenings to monitor for liver cancer (HCC).
NHS. Cirrhosis (nhs.uk). 2022.
NIDDK. Liver Cirrhosis (niddk.nih.gov). 2023.
MedlinePlus. Cirrhosis (medlineplus.gov). 2024.
MSD Manual. Fibrosis and Cirrhosis (msdmanuals.com). 2024.