Cirrhosis is a late stage of chronic liver disease that causes permanent scarring of the liver. About one in three people with liver disease do not know they have it because symptoms often do not appear until the disease has progressed.
If you are worried about liver damage or have been told you have liver disease or elevated liver enzymes, Banner Health can help. Our liver and digestive health teams use advanced tools to diagnose liver disease early and develop a treatment plan tailored to you.
Cirrhosis describes advanced liver disease caused by long-term damage to the liver. The most common causes of liver disease are alcohol use and fatty liver, although autoimmune and genetic conditions, infections, and drug interactions can also play a role.
Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body and plays a role in many of the body’s functions. It helps clean toxins from your blood, makes important proteins, controls your metabolism and stores energy, supports your immune system and stops bleeding.
Inflammation within the liver over time can cause scar tissue to form within the liver. When enough scar tissue forms, the condition is called cirrhosis. The liver becomes stiff and loses much of its ability to repair itself. This scarring within the liver causes the liver to become stiffer, which can lead to fluid accumulation in the belly and put you at higher risk of major bleeding. Cirrhosis can also cause you to develop confusion or brain fog because the liver is unable to clear certain toxins as efficiently.
The scarring can also block normal blood flow through the liver, causing portal hypertension, a condition that raises pressure in the veins around the liver.
In some case, cirrhosis can progress to the point that a liver transplant may be required. Patients with cirrhosis are also at a higher risk of developing liver cancer.
Cirrhosis is sometimes called end-stage liver disease, but severity levels vary with cirrhosis. When cirrhosis develops, the damage is usually permanent. But with early care, you may be able to slow or prevent the development of more scarring.
Cirrhosis usually develops slowly. It is often caused by long-term liver damage. Common causes of cirrhosis include:
Other conditions that may lead to cirrhosis include:
Fatty liver disease is now one of the leading causes of cirrhosis in the U.S. This type of liver disease can develop even if you do not drink alcohol.
In the early stages, you may not have symptoms. Many people feel fine at first. As liver damage gets worse, symptoms often become more recognizable.
In the early stages, your liver is still working well. Symptoms may be mild or easy to miss. Common early signs include:
These early symptoms are signs your liver is under stress. Even if your symptoms are minor, see a health care provider. Early diagnosis can slow liver damage and protect your health.
As cirrhosis progresses, the liver cannot keep up with its normal work. More serious symptoms can appear, including:
If you notice any of these symptoms, see a health care provider right away.
Complications are health problems that result from long-term liver damage. Not everyone with cirrhosis will get these problems, but knowing about them can help you stay safe.
Complications include:
To diagnose cirrhosis, your provider will review your medical history, discuss symptoms and perform a physical exam. They might ask about alcohol use, past infections and family history.
Tests used to diagnose cirrhosis may include:
Cirrhosis typically cannot be reversed. Although the liver has strong healing abilities, it typically loses this ability when the extent of liver damage has progressed to cirrhosis. Still, treating the cause can help slow or stop further damage.
For example:
There is no single cure for cirrhosis. Treatment focuses on slowing liver damage, easing symptoms and preventing problems.
Your treatment plan may include:
If you have cirrhosis, you should not drink alcohol at all as this can accelerate how quickly your liver gets worse or you develop complications. If quitting feels hard, your provider can help connect you with recovery programs, counseling or treatment support. Even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful once cirrhosis is present.
Many people with cirrhosis are malnourished, even if they do not appear underweight. Liver disease can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients.
Your provider might recommend:
There is no single medicine that cures cirrhosis. However, medications are often used to treat symptoms and prevent serious problems.
Depending on your condition, your provider may prescribe:
People with cirrhosis need ongoing testing to watch for complications and catch problems early. Common procedures and screenings include:
These tests help your care team adjust treatment and respond quickly to changes in your liver health.
When liver disease gets severe and causes liver failure, the only option is a liver transplant.
Your care team will check if you are a good candidate for the surgery. They will test your health to see if you are strong enough for the operation and if you can handle lifelong care afterward. If your cirrhosis is caused by alcohol, transplant programs require you to stay sober.
Your health care providers use scoring systems, like the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and MELD scores, to predict how your disease will progress and to decide your place on the waiting list for a transplant.
Learn more about Banner Health’s liver transplant program.
You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share similar experiences and problems.
Learn more about Banner Health’s virtual liver disease support group.
Cirrhosis is a serious condition, but it does not always limit your life span if caught early and appropriately managed. Depending on the severity of cirrhosis, people can have an expected life span of months to many years. Your outlook depends on several factors, including the cause of cirrhosis, how much liver damage you have and how well you follow your treatment plan.
You can take steps to protect your liver and improve your long-term health:
Cirrhosis usually cannot be reversed, but treatment can slow or stop further liver damage.
Life expectancy varies widely depending on the cause, stage of liver disease and how well it is managed.
Early cirrhosis may cause fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite or mild abdominal discomfort. Many people have no symptoms at first.
Not always. With early treatment and lifestyle changes, many people live for years with stable liver disease.
At Banner Health, our liver specialists provide comprehensive care for cirrhosis and other liver diseases. Our team has liver specialists, surgeons, digestive health experts, dietitians, care coordinators and transplant teams. We work together to help you stay healthy, control your symptoms and avoid complications.
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