Cirrhosis

Alternative names

Liver cirrhosis

Definition

Cirrhosis is the result of chronic liver disease that causes scarring of the liver (fibrosis - nodular regeneration) and liver dysfunction. This often has many complications, including accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites), bleeding disorders (coagulopathy), increased pressure in the blood vessels (portal hypertension), and confusion or a change in the level of consciousness (hepatic encephalopathy).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cirrhosis is caused by chronic liver disease. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the US include hepatitis C infection and long-term alcohol abuse. (See Alcoholic liver disease.) Hepatitis C is now the most common reason for liver transplantation in the US. Other causes of cirrhosis include hepatitis B, medications, autoimmune inflammation of the liver, disorders of the drainage system of the liver (the biliary system), and metabolic disorders of iron and copper (hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease).

Symptoms

• Ascites
  
• Swelling of the legs
  
• Vomiting blood
  
• Confusion
  
• Jaundice
  
• Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
  
• Weakness
  
• Weight loss
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
• Impotence and loss of interest in sex
  
• Bleeding hemorrhoids
  

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Urine output, decreased
  
• Swelling, overall
  
• Stools, pale or clay colored
  
• Nosebleed or bleeding gums
  
• Gynecomastia (breast development in males)
  
• Abdominal pain
  
• Abdominal indigestion
  
• Fevers
  

Symptoms may develop gradually, or there may be no symptoms.

Signs and tests

A physical examination may reveal an enlarged liver or spleen, distended abdomen, yellow eyes or skin (jaundice), red spider-like blood vessels on the skin, excess breast tissue, small testicles in men, reddened palms, contracted fingers, or dilated abdominal wall veins.

Tests can reveal liver problems including: