Cirrhosis refers to the significant scarring or fibrosis of the liver. This condition occurs during the advanced stages of liver disease and other ailments that cause liver harm.

Cirrhosis causes permanent damage, but treatment can help manage it. Contributing factors include metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), hepatitis, prolonged alcohol use, and primary sclerosing cholangitis.

About 1 in 400 adults are living with cirrhosis in the United States. It’s more likely to affect men than women.

Signs and Symptoms of Cirrhosis

Often, there are no apparent signs of cirrhosis until the disease has advanced significantly. Symptoms start to manifest when liver scarring has progressed to a stage where the organ’s functionality is severely restricted.

Often, the systems within the liver that are the first to break down are:

• Toxin breakdown
• Purify the blood
• Produce clotting proteins
• Absorption of fats and proteins

Common symptoms of cirrhosis are:

• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue
• Pain on the upper right abdomen
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Signs of severe liver involvement are as follows:

• Yellowish coloring of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Itchy skin
• Bruising and bleeding easily
• Dark colored urine
• Abdominal swelling
• Swelling in the legs

Common Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis can be attributed to various factors. In the United States, the two primary causes are chronic alcohol abuse and prolonged hepatitis infections.

Alcohol Misuse

A 2019 study looked at various research findings. It shows that women are at a greater risk of cirrhosis if they drink any alcohol. This suggests that even moderate drinking can be risky. In contrast, for men, the risk of cirrhosis rises when consumption exceeds one drink per day.

Nonetheless, each individual is unique. Sipping a glass of wine with dinner on most evenings does not necessarily lead to cirrhosis. Typically, alcohol-related cirrhosis arises from prolonged, excessive drinking over an extended period.

Additionally, various other health-related factors can contribute to the onset of this condition.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis C is a viral illness that may cause inflammation and harm to the liver. People who are at risk of contracting this form of viral hepatitis include those who:

• Are sexually active without a condom or other barrier
• Share drug needles
• Are on dialysis

Hepatitis B is a different type of viral hepatitis. It is less common in the United States but more widespread in:

• South America
• Eastern Europe
• Africa
• Asia
• Some areas of the Middle East

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This new name is more transparent and helps reduce the stigma of the old term.

MASLD is a medical condition where fat builds up in the liver. It is not caused by drinking too much alcohol.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a more serious form of MASLD. It causes liver damage and inflammation, along with fat buildup. If MASH is not treated, it can lead to cirrhosis.

Other Conditions that Lead to Cirrhosis:

• Hepatitis D: Hepatitis D frequently occurs in individuals already infected with hepatitis B.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis: Autoimmune hepatitis results in inflammation, potentially causing cirrhosis.
• Bile Duct Damage: These ducts remove bile, with primary biliary cholangitis being one such condition.
• Certain Medications: This encompasses prescription and over-the-counter options such as acetaminophen, certain antibiotics, and specific antidepressants.
• Disorders affecting the body’s ability to break down iron and copper: Hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease are two examples.

Diagnosis of Cirrhosis

The process of diagnosing cirrhosis starts with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Your physician will gather a comprehensive medical background. 

It is essential to share your health history. This includes any heavy drinking, exposure to hepatitis C, family history of autoimmune diseases, or other risk factors.

In the physical examination, your physician will search for indicators like:

• Yellowing in the whites of the eyes
• Yellowing of the skin
• Hand tremors
• Reddening of the palms
• Enlarged liver or spleen
• A decrease in alertness

Examinations can indicate the extent of liver damage. Several tests are utilized to assess cirrhosis, including:

• Albumin tests to check for a protein produced in the liver
• Blood tests for coagulation to assess clotting speed
• Liver function tests
• Alpha-fetoprotein, a test to detect cancer of the liver

More in-depth tests of the liver may include:

• An upper endoscopy 
• MRI of the abdomen
• Ultrasound of the liver
• CT scan of the abdomen
• Liver biopsy to detect cirrhosis

Complications of Cirrhosis

When blood cannot flow through the liver, it causes a backup in other veins, including those in the esophagus. This condition is referred to as esophageal varices. 

These veins are not designed to withstand elevated pressure, leading them to swell due to the increased blood volume.

Other common complications from cirrhosis include:

• Infections caused by bacteria, such as UTIs
• Hemorrhaging from reduced clotting factors
• Reaction to drugs, since the liver metabolizes medications within the body
• Kidney failure
• Malnutrition
• Liver cancer
• Gallstones can develop when bile flow is obstructed, leading to the hardening of bile
• Splenomegaly, enlargement of the spleen

Treating Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis treatment depends on its underlying cause, your symptoms, and the stage of the disease. Options include medications, lifestyle modifications, and surgical interventions.

Medications

Your doctor may suggest specific medications for cirrhosis. These could include beta-blockers or nitrates for portal hypertension. They may also advise antibiotics or treatments for hepatitis.

Changes to Lifestyle

If your cirrhosis is caused by alcohol intake, your physician will probably suggest that you stop drinking. They might also advise weight loss if deemed medically necessary. 

Additionally, if you are experiencing ascites, a diet low in sodium may be recommended.

Surgery

When cirrhosis progresses to a point where treatment options are no longer effective, a liver transplant becomes one of the final alternatives available.

Prevention

Using barrier methods during sexual activity can lower the chances of contracting hepatitis B or C. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that all infants and adults at increased risk, including healthcare workers and emergency responders, receive the hepatitis B vaccine. 

Additionally, reducing alcohol consumption or abstaining from it, maintaining a nutritious diet, and engaging in regular physical activity can aid in preventing or delaying the onset of cirrhosis.

Other prevention methods include:

• Discussing your medications with your doctor and ensuring you are taking the correct dosage
• Steering clear of recreational drugs
• Consider getting tested for hepatitis if you think you might be at risk

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

If you or someone you care about struggles with alcoholism, it is crucial to get help. If you worry it is affecting liver health, seeking professional support is vital. It’s important to understand that alcoholism can become more serious and long-lasting over time. Early help is needed for lasting recovery.

Reach out to Moving Mountains Recovery Center now to begin your journey with one of our alcohol rehabilitation programs in New Jersey.