Library · Disease
Cirrhosis of the liver
Make it clearer
Cirrhosis is a liver covered in scars. Not just a few: so many and so widespread that they've changed the way the organ is put together inside. Think of a piece of clothing patched over and over in the same spot: the stiff patches end up ruling the fabric, and the garment stops hanging the way it used to.
The awkward part is that early on it may give no warning at all. As it moves along, complications show up, like portal hypertension, which is high pressure in the blood flow coming into the liver. There's no treatment that erases the scars and gives the liver back the way it was. What does change the course is dealing with whatever is damaging it: that can slow the decline and help keep the liver from failing altogether, which is what's called liver failure.
In brief
Cirrhosis leaves extensive scarring that disrupts the liver's normal structure.
Inside the liver, scar tissue replaces healthy tissue and partially blocks blood flow through the organ.
Cirrhosis may not cause any symptoms at first. As it progresses, complications such as portal hypertension can develop.
No specific treatment cures cirrhosis, but treating the underlying cause can keep it from getting worse and help prevent liver failure.
Sources (1)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesCirrhosis
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated