Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsImpact on the LiverSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Impact on the Liver
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Although cirrhosis is typically irreversible, the condition can be managed with treatment. Learn more about cirrhosis and how this condition is diagnosed and treated.
Cirrhosis and Impact on the Liver
The liver has manyimportant functions, one notable one being the filtration of blood. When conditions or lifestyle habits like hepatitis or excessive alcohol consumption cause damage to the liver, the liver is usually able to repair itself, replacing damaged liver cells with new ones.
However, when liver damage occurs repeatedly, scar tissue (a collection of collagen and other cells) can build up between liver cells as the liver continually tries to self-heal. This beginning stage of scarring is known asfibrosis.
Over time, if the cause of liver damage is not addressed, the scarring accumulates and leads to cirrhosis, where the scarring permanently affects the liver.
Cirrhosis interferes with the circulatory flow to the liver and can disrupt essential liver functions.
eranicle / Getty Images
In some cases, the damage from cirrhosis can lead toliver failureand even death. Over one million people die each year of cirrhosis, including over 50,000 people in the United States.
Cirrhosis and chronic liver disease combined are the 9th leading cause of death in the United States, affecting nearly twice as many men as women.
Cirrhosis Symptoms
The progression of liver damage from early-stage fibrosis to cirrhosis generally takes years, and even decades, to cause symptoms. In the early years, there are often few, if any, symptoms. As the disease progresses, the tell-tale symptoms can become more apparent.
These symptoms include:
What Causes Cirrhosis of the Liver?
The most common causes of cirrhosis arealcohol-related liver disease,hepatitis B,hepatitis C, andnon-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Some less common causes of cirrhosis include obstructed bile ducts of the liver and gallbladder,autoimmune hepatitis, hereditary diseases likeWilson’s diseaseorhemochromatosis, medication, and celiac disease.
Liver biopsy is the most accurate way to diagnose cirrhosis and to properly assess the stage of the liver disease. An ultrasound or magnetic resonance elastography (a test that can assess the stiffness of certain body areas) are noninvasive ways to detect liver fibrosis. A number of blood tests and imaging tools (including ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI) can be used to monitor disease progression.
Cirrhosis of the liver can be typically classified as either compensated or decompensated:
If liver function is declining and medical treatment is not adequate,liver transplantationis typically considered.
Cirrhosis can lead tohepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.
Cirrhosis Treatment
Management of cirrhosis is largely dependent on the cause and severity of the disease, and it should start as soon as it is diagnosed.
A number of approaches should be taken to reduce the progression of liver scarring, including:
A Word From Verywell
Over one million people die from cirrhosis every year—however, the disease remains difficult to detect in its early stages.
If you are experiencing symptoms of cirrhosis or suspect that you are at risk for developing cirrhosis, speak with your healthcare provider. Management of cirrhosis should begin as soon as you are diagnosed.
Cirrhosis Diet: What to Eat and What Not to Eat
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.Liver disease: frequently asked questions.American Liver Foundation.The progression of liver disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FastStats - Chronic Liver Disease or Cirrhosis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & Causes of Cirrhosis.Klinge M, Coppler T, Liebschutz JM, et al.The assessment and management of pain in cirrhosis.Curr Hepatol Rep. 2018;17(1):42-51. doi:10.1007/s11901-018-0389-7MedlinePlus.Cirrhosis.Nderitu P, Bosco C, Garmo H, et al.The association between individual metabolic syndrome components, primary liver cancer and cirrhosis: A study in the Swedish AMORIS cohort. Int J Cancer. 2017;141(6):1148-1160. doi:10.1002/ijc.30818Hung TH, Liang CM, Hsu CN, et al.Association between complicated liver cirrhosis and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(7):e0181858. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181858Cleveland Clinic.Cirrhosis of the Liver Prevention.Simon TG, Kim MN, Luo X, et al.Physical activity compared to adiposity and risk of liver-related mortality: results from two prospective, nationwide cohorts.J Hepatol. 2020;72(6):1062-1069. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2019.12.022Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).National Vital Statistics Report, Volume 67, Number 5.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Cirrhosis.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.Liver disease: frequently asked questions.American Liver Foundation.The progression of liver disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FastStats - Chronic Liver Disease or Cirrhosis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & Causes of Cirrhosis.Klinge M, Coppler T, Liebschutz JM, et al.The assessment and management of pain in cirrhosis.Curr Hepatol Rep. 2018;17(1):42-51. doi:10.1007/s11901-018-0389-7MedlinePlus.Cirrhosis.Nderitu P, Bosco C, Garmo H, et al.The association between individual metabolic syndrome components, primary liver cancer and cirrhosis: A study in the Swedish AMORIS cohort. Int J Cancer. 2017;141(6):1148-1160. doi:10.1002/ijc.30818Hung TH, Liang CM, Hsu CN, et al.Association between complicated liver cirrhosis and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(7):e0181858. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181858Cleveland Clinic.Cirrhosis of the Liver Prevention.Simon TG, Kim MN, Luo X, et al.Physical activity compared to adiposity and risk of liver-related mortality: results from two prospective, nationwide cohorts.J Hepatol. 2020;72(6):1062-1069. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2019.12.022Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).National Vital Statistics Report, Volume 67, Number 5.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Cirrhosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.Liver disease: frequently asked questions.American Liver Foundation.The progression of liver disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FastStats - Chronic Liver Disease or Cirrhosis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & Causes of Cirrhosis.Klinge M, Coppler T, Liebschutz JM, et al.The assessment and management of pain in cirrhosis.Curr Hepatol Rep. 2018;17(1):42-51. doi:10.1007/s11901-018-0389-7MedlinePlus.Cirrhosis.Nderitu P, Bosco C, Garmo H, et al.The association between individual metabolic syndrome components, primary liver cancer and cirrhosis: A study in the Swedish AMORIS cohort. Int J Cancer. 2017;141(6):1148-1160. doi:10.1002/ijc.30818Hung TH, Liang CM, Hsu CN, et al.Association between complicated liver cirrhosis and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(7):e0181858. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181858Cleveland Clinic.Cirrhosis of the Liver Prevention.Simon TG, Kim MN, Luo X, et al.Physical activity compared to adiposity and risk of liver-related mortality: results from two prospective, nationwide cohorts.J Hepatol. 2020;72(6):1062-1069. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2019.12.022
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.Liver disease: frequently asked questions.
American Liver Foundation.The progression of liver disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FastStats - Chronic Liver Disease or Cirrhosis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & Causes of Cirrhosis.
Klinge M, Coppler T, Liebschutz JM, et al.The assessment and management of pain in cirrhosis.Curr Hepatol Rep. 2018;17(1):42-51. doi:10.1007/s11901-018-0389-7
MedlinePlus.Cirrhosis.
Nderitu P, Bosco C, Garmo H, et al.The association between individual metabolic syndrome components, primary liver cancer and cirrhosis: A study in the Swedish AMORIS cohort. Int J Cancer. 2017;141(6):1148-1160. doi:10.1002/ijc.30818
Hung TH, Liang CM, Hsu CN, et al.Association between complicated liver cirrhosis and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan. PLoS ONE. 2017;12(7):e0181858. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181858
Cleveland Clinic.Cirrhosis of the Liver Prevention.
Simon TG, Kim MN, Luo X, et al.Physical activity compared to adiposity and risk of liver-related mortality: results from two prospective, nationwide cohorts.J Hepatol. 2020;72(6):1062-1069. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2019.12.022
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).National Vital Statistics Report, Volume 67, Number 5.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Cirrhosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).National Vital Statistics Report, Volume 67, Number 5.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Cirrhosis.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
