Cirrhosis is the slow deterioration of the liver, which can lead to liver failure. Due to chronic disease, healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, which inhibits normal blood flow throughout the liver. The scar tissue also prevents the liver from performing a number of functions, such as removal of toxins from the blood, infection control, production of bile and protein synthesis, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Cirrhosis is a potentially fatal disease that occurs as a result of a number of disorders.
Alcoholism
Alcoholic cirrhosis is the most common type of cirrhosis in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. When alcohol is consumed, the liver breaks down the alcohol into toxic chemicals. In moderate drinkers, the toxic chemicals are eliminated from the body without damaging the liver. However, in a heavy drinker, those toxic chemicals build up and trigger inflammation in the liver and tissue injury, which over time can lead to cirrhosis. The cirrhosis caused by alcoholism usually develops after 10 to 15 years of chronic drinking, according to the American Liver Foundation.
Hepatitis
A number of different types of hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis. Hepatitis C is a chronic form of hepatitis and the most common. It is the second leading cause of cirrhosis. The hepatitis C virus is contracted through exposure to contaminated blood. The virus causes inflammation and liver damage, which can lead to cirrhosis. Hepatitis B and D are also chronic forms of hepatitis that can lead to cirrhosis. Hepatitis B is contracted through exposure to contaminated blood, semen or other body fluids. It also causes liver inflammation and damage. Hepatitis D is a chronic liver infection that develops only in those already infected with hepatitis B. Both these forms of chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis. Autoimmune hepatitis is a liver infection in which the body's immune system attacks its own liver, causing inflammation and tissue damage and eventually resulting in cirrhosis.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease presents itself in the same way as alcoholic liver disease, except it occurs in people who are not chronic drinkers. The two main causes of NAFLD are obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, but it is also associated with those who have coronary heart disease. NAFLD is usually slow to progress; however, it can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which is a more severe form of liver disease. NASH is characterized by an inflamed, fatty liver, and can lead to cirrhosis.
Bile Duct Disease
Bile is a digestive liquid made in the liver that aids in the digestion of fat. Bile ducts lead bile to the gallbladder and small intestine. If the bile ducts become damaged by disease, the bile cannot travel out of the liver and it accumulates. An accumulation of bile in the liver can lead to inflammation of the liver, and eventually cirrhosis. The most common bile duct disease is primary biliary cirrhosis, in which the bile ducts became inflamed and damaged and eventually disappear, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Inherited Disorders
A number of inherited disorders can interfere with the liver's production and storage of enzymes and proteins, resulting in malfunction of the liver. When the liver is not working properly, cirrhosis can develop. Hereditary disorders that can cause cirrhosis include Wilson disease, glycogen storage diseases, cystic fibrosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and hemochromatosis.
