Causes of Cirrhosis of Liver

Alcohol consumption : Excessive alcohol consumption s the single greatest risk factor as well as the cause for cirrhosis. Even small amounts of alcohol can be damaging if a person is infected with Hepatitis B or C virus. Alcoholic cirrhosis usually occurs after a decade or more of heavy drinking, although the amount of alcohol that can injure the liver varies from person to person.

Chronic Hepatitis B and C : Liver infection with Hepatitis C ranks second only to alcoholism as a cause of cirrhosis. Nearly a quarter of people with chronic Hepatitis C develop cirrhosis - often as long as two decades or more after infection - and many with cirrhosis eventually progress to end stage liver disease or to liver cancer. The older the person is when he gets infected with Hepatitis C virus, the more likely are his chances of developing cirrhosis. Infection with Hepatitis B can also lead to cirrhosis.

Autoimmune Hepatitis : In this disorder, the body's immune system attacks liver cells, causing inflammation similar to the inflammation that occurs in viral Hepatitis. 

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ( nonalcoholic steato-hepatitis) : In this disorder, fat accumulates in the liver, leading to inflammation and occasionally to scar tissue. 

Inherited diseases : These include disorders like Wilson's Disease in which copper accumulates in the liver and hereditary haemochromatosis where iron accumulates in the liver and damages it. 

Disease of the biliary tract : These can cause the ducts to become inflamed, scarred or blocked. This forces bile back into the liver, where it damages the live tissue, which eventually may lead to cirrhosis. 

Drug reactions and exposure to environmental toxins : Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins such as arsenic and severe reactions to drugs like methotrexate, an immune-suppressing drug, or to amiodarone, which is used to treat heart arrhythmias can also cause severe liver disease. 

Signs and Symptoms of Cirrhosis of Liver :

There are no signs and symptoms in the early stages of the disease. But as more scar tissue replaces healthy tissue and liver function declines, the following may be observed :

1. Lack of appetite and weight loss 

2. Weakness and fatigue. 

3. Small, red spider veins under the skin.

4. Easy bruising.

5. Yellowing of skin and eyes.

6. Dark-coloured urine.

7. Loss of interest in sex

8. Collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity ( ascites)

9. Swelling of legs and feet due to accumulation of fluid ( oedema)

10. Itching all over the body.

11. Mental confusion, such as forgetfulness or decreased concentration ( encephalopathy) 

Cirrhosis of Liver
Causes of Cirrhosis of Liver
Diagnosis for Cirrhosis of Liver
Treatment for Cirrhosis of Liver