Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver, caused by damage to the liver, that develops over time and can cause the liver to fail. The most common causes of cirrhosis are alcohol, non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), linked to obesity and diabetes, and viral hepatitis including hepatitis B and C. It is possible to have cirrhosis and not have any symptoms. As the liver starts to fail a person can develop jaundice (the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow), abdominal swelling, spontaneous bruising, confusion or bleeding from the gastro-intestinal tract. There is an increased risk of developing liver cancer. Cirrhosis is reversible so if you can stop drinking or have treatment for your hepatitis B or C then the liver function can improve. There are treatments available to help manage a liver that is failing but if your liver is severely damaged, a liver transplant may be the only treatment option.