Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism.
The liver performs several necessary functions, including detoxifying harmful substances in the body, cleaning the blood and supplying vital nutrients.
Cirrhosis occurs in response to liver damage.
Whenever the liver is damaged, it tries to repair itself, and in the process, scar tissue forms. As cirrhosis progresses and areas of scar tissue spread, liver function becomes increasingly difficult.
We speak of decompensated cirrhosis to describe the development of specific complications resulting from the changes caused by cirrhosis-it is a life-threatening condition.
Generally, liver damage caused by cirrhosis generally cannot be removed, but if cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the cause is treated, further damage can be limited.
