Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver as a result of continuous, long-term liver damage. Scar tissue replaces healthy tissue in the liver and prevents the liver from working properly.

The damage caused by cirrhosis can't be reversed and eventually can become so extensive your liver stops functioning. This is called liver failure.

Cirrhosis can be fatal if the liver fails. However, it usually takes years for the condition to reach this stage and treatment can help slow its progression.

Each year in the UK, around 4,000 people die from cirrhosis and 700 people with the condition need a liver transplant to survive.

Signs and symptoms

There are usually few symptoms in the early stages of cirrhosis. However, as your liver loses its ability to function properly, you're likely to experience a loss of appetite, nausea and itchy skin.

In the later stages, symptoms can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), vomiting blood, dark, tarry-looking stools and a build-up of fluid in the legs (oedema) and abdomen (ascites).

Read more about the symptoms of cirrhosis.

When to see your GP

As cirrhosis doesn't have many obvious symptoms during the early stages, it's often picked up during tests for an unrelated illness.

See your GP if you have any of the following symptoms:

• fever and shivering
• shortness of breath
• vomiting blood
• very dark or black, tarry stools (faeces)
• periods of confusion or drowsiness

Read more about diagnosing cirrhosis.

Why cirrhosis happens

The most common causes of cirrhosis in the UK are drinking too much alcohol (alcohol misuse) over many years, being infected with the hepatitis C virus for a long time and a condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Less common causes include hepatitis B infection and inherited liver diseases, such as haemochromatosis.

Read more about the causes of cirrhosis.

Treating cirrhosis

Currently, cirrhosis can't be cured. However, it is possible to manage the symptoms and any complications, and slow its progression.

Treating underlying conditions that may be the cause, such as using anti-viral medication to treat a hepatitis C infection, can also stop cirrhosis getting worse.

You may be advised to cut down or stop drinking alcohol or to lose weight if you're overweight. A wide range of alcohol support services are available.

In its more advanced stages, the scarring caused by cirrhosis can make your liver stop functioning. In this case, a liver transplant is the only treatment option.

Read more about treating cirrhosis.

Preventing cirrhosis

Not exceeding recommended limits for alcohol consumption is the best way of preventing alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Men should drink no more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day. Women should drink no more than 2-3 units a day.

Hepatitis B and C are infectious conditions that can be caught through having unprotected sex or by sharing needles to inject drugs. Using a condom during sex and avoiding injecting drugs will reduce your risk of developing hepatitis B and C.

You can be vaccinated against hepatitis B but there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Read more about preventing cirrhosis.