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Cirrhosis
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Digestive System

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver caused by injury or long-term disease, which prevents the organ from performing vital functions.

Overview

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. Scar tissue forms because of injury or long-term disease. Unlike healthy liver tissue, scar tissue cannot make protein, help fight infections, clean the blood, help digest food, or store energy.

Symptoms and Complications

Cirrhosis can lead to several serious health issues, including:

  • Easy bruising or bleeding, or nosebleeds
  • Swelling of the abdomen or legs
  • Extra sensitivity to medicines
  • High blood pressure in the vein entering the liver
  • Enlarged veins called varices in the esophagus and stomach, which can bleed suddenly
  • Kidney failure
  • Jaundice
  • Severe itching
  • Gallstones

Additionally, a small number of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your doctor will diagnose cirrhosis with blood tests, imaging tests, or a biopsy. While there are many causes for the condition—most commonly chronic alcoholism and hepatitis in the United States—nothing will make the scar tissue disappear.

Treating the underlying cause can keep the condition from getting worse. If too much scar tissue forms, you may need to consider a liver transplant.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most critical step is addressing the underlying cause, such as complete abstinence from alcohol for alcoholic liver disease or antiviral treatment for hepatitis. Patients should avoid all non-prescription medications, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol), unless cleared by a doctor, as the liver cannot process them safely. Vaccinations against Hepatitis A and B, influenza, and pneumonia are also vital to prevent infections that a compromised liver cannot fight off effectively.
liver transplant is typically considered when cirrhosis becomes decompensated and medical management fails to control complications like recurrent variceal bleeding, severe ascites, or liver failure. Immediate post-surgery risks include organ rejection, which requires lifelong immunosuppressive medication, and infection due to the weakened immune system. Long-term success depends on strict adherence to medication schedules and regular monitoring for rejection signs.
Early signs of decompensation include the sudden onset of fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) or legs (edema), yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), and confusion or difficulty concentrating (hepatic encephalopathy). Patients should also watch for unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, and new instances of easy bruising or bleeding, which indicate the liver is no longer producing adequate clotting factors.
cirrhosis diet typically requires strict sodium restriction, often under 2,000 mg per day, to prevent fluid buildup and swelling. Protein intake is nuanced; while adequate protein is essential to prevent muscle wasting, patients with hepatic encephalopathy may need to limit animal proteins and increase plant-based or dairy proteins to reduce ammonia production. Alcohol must be completely avoided, and patients should consult a dietitian to manage caloric needs and prevent malnutrition.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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