Liver Cirrhosis

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is a long-term condition in which healthy liver tissue is progressively replaced by scar tissue. As scarring increases, the normal structure and function of the liver can become impaired. Cirrhosis may develop gradually over many years and can result from a range of chronic liver diseases.

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important because cirrhosis can sometimes be managed effectively when the underlying cause is identified and treated. Specialist care also helps monitor liver function, detect complications at an early stage, and reduce the risk of further liver damage.

Our liver cirrhosis service focuses on comprehensive evaluation, identification of the underlying cause, management of complications, and long-term monitoring tailored to each patient’s condition.

What Is Liver Cirrhosis?

The liver performs many essential functions, including processing nutrients, producing important proteins, helping with blood clotting, storing energy, and removing harmful substances from the bloodstream.

When the liver is repeatedly injured over a long period, the body attempts to repair the damage. Persistent injury can result in the formation of scar tissue. Unlike healthy liver tissue, extensive scar tissue can interfere with blood flow through the liver and reduce its ability to perform its normal functions.

Cirrhosis does not necessarily mean that the liver has completely stopped functioning. Many people can remain relatively stable for years, particularly when the underlying cause is treated and complications are carefully monitored. However, advanced cirrhosis can lead to significant liver dysfunction and other serious health problems.

Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

Several conditions can cause chronic liver injury and eventually lead to cirrhosis. Common causes include:

  • Chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection
  • Alcohol-related liver disease
  • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Primary biliary cholangitis and other chronic cholestatic liver diseases
  • Genetic and metabolic liver disorders
  • Certain medications or toxins
  • Long-term diseases affecting the bile ducts

In some patients, despite detailed investigation, a specific cause may not be identified. This is sometimes referred to as cryptogenic cirrhosis.

Identifying the underlying cause is an important part of treatment because addressing the cause may slow or prevent further liver damage.

Symptoms of Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis may cause few or no symptoms during its early stages. Some patients are diagnosed while being investigated for abnormal liver blood tests or another medical condition.

As liver function becomes impaired, symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Nausea or digestive discomfort
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Swelling of the legs
  • Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Itching
  • Changes in sleep or mental alertness

Some symptoms occur because cirrhosis causes complications such as portal hypertension, ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy.

Complications of Liver Cirrhosis

Advanced cirrhosis can affect multiple systems in the body. One important complication is portal hypertension, which occurs when pressure increases within the blood vessels supplying the liver. Portal hypertension can result in enlarged veins called varices, particularly in the oesophagus and stomach.

If these varices rupture, they can cause severe gastrointestinal bleeding and require emergency treatment.

Other complications can include:

  • Ascites and fluid retention
  • Oesophageal or gastric varices
  • Hepatic encephalopathy
  • Increased risk of infections