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Cirrhosis of the Liver: Symptoms and Causes
What is Cirrhosis of the Liver?
Cirrhosis of the liver is a late stage of liver disease where healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue. As healthy liver tissue is replaced, the liver's ability to function properly decreases.Symptoms of Cirrhosis
Symptoms of cirrhosis often don't appear until the liver damage is severe. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Itchy skin
Other Symptoms
Cirrhosis can also lead to other health problems, such as:
- Portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the vein that carries blood from the intestines to the liver)
- Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen)
- Encephalopathy (brain damage caused by liver failure)
Causes of Cirrhosis
There are many different causes of cirrhosis, including:
- Chronic hepatitis B or C infection
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Primary biliary cholangitis
- Sclerosing cholangitis
Treatment for Cirrhosis
There is no cure for cirrhosis, but treatment can help to slow the progression of the disease and prevent complications. Treatment options may include:
- Medications to treat the underlying cause of cirrhosis
- Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and quitting smoking
- Surgery to remove scar tissue or to create a new pathway for blood to flow through the liver
- Liver transplant
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