Cirrhosis

Definition

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function as a result of chronic liver disease.

Alternative Names

Liver cirrhosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cirrhosis is caused by chronic liver disease. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the U.S. include:

• Hepatitis C infection
• Long-term alcohol abuse (see alcoholic liver disease)

Other causes of cirrhosis include:

• Autoimmune inflammation of the liver
• Disorders of the drainage system of the liver (the biliary system)
• Hepatitis B
• Medications
• Metabolic disorders of iron and copper (hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease)

Symptoms

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

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

• Abdominal indigestion
• Abdominal pain
• Breast development in males (gynecomastia)
• Decreased urine output
• Fevers
• Nosebleed or bleeding gums
• Overall swelling
• Pale or clay colored stools

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

Signs and tests

During a physical examination the health care provider may find:

• An enlarged liver or spleen
• Excess breast tissue
• Excess fluid in the tissues lining the abdomen (ascites)
• Expanded (distended) abdomen
• Reddened palms
• Red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
• Smaller (contracted) fingers
• Small testicles in men
• Widened (dilated) veins in the abdomen wall
• Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)

Tests can reveal liver problems including:

• Anemia (detected on a CBC)
• Coagulation abnormalities
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Elevated bilirubin
• Low serum albumin
• Enlarged liver (seen with an abdominal x-ray)

A liver biopsy confirms cirrhosis.

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

• Alpha-fetoprotein
• Cholesterol test
• Complement
• Renin
• Serum magnesium - test