Cirrhosis is a process that involves the buildup of scar tissue that occurs as part of liver disease, according to the American Liver Foundation. MayoClinic.com indicates that cirrhosis is caused by progressive damage to the liver. In the early stages of cirrhosis the liver continues to have the ability to make repairs; however, the liver loses its ability to function as damage progresses.
Inflammation
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that the liver many begin to swell at the beginning phases of cirrhosis. Inflammation generally causes discomfort, with heat and pain manifesting in the inflamed area. While pain may occur in the early stages of cirrhosis, the American Liver Foundation states that no discomfort may arise at all. During the initial stages, no symptoms of cirrhosis or liver disease may emerge. Treatment at this stage of cirrhosis generally results in the elimination of inflammation and the prevention of permanent damage to the liver.
Fibrosis
If the inflammation persists in the liver over a long period of time the American Liver Foundation indicates that scar tissue will begin to form, replacing healthy tissue in the liver. This process is called fibrosis as scar tissue consists of a form of fibrous tissue. The accumulation of scar tissue will also cause the liver to shrink in size, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse states. The American Liver Foundation reports that scar tissue will affect the functioning of the liver and prevent blood flow from circulating in the organ properly. Unaffected parts of the liver will have to work harder to make up for parts not functioning properly. Treatment at this stage may result in the liver successfully healing itself.
Cirrhosis
The term cirrhosis refers to the point where so much scar tissue has grown in the liver that it loses the ability to heal itself. At this juncture symptoms may emerge for the first time, including jaundice, a condition where the whites of the eyes and the skin turn yellow. Additional complications may emerge as well. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse indicates that about five percent of individuals with cirrhosis develop liver cancer. According to the American Liver Foundation, treatment at this stage focuses on slowing or stopping further liver damage and protecting what healthy liver tissue remains.
Late Stage Cirrhosis
In the late stages of cirrhosis, further problems may develop. The American Gastroenterological Association identifies that the individual may experience "intense itching due to bile products that are deposited in the skin." Gallstones may develop as not enough bile reaches the gallbladder, and toxic levels of ammonia may accumulate in the blood, called hepatic encephalopathy. Problems caused from this condition range from mild sleep problems to coma. As the liver has lost its ability to filter drugs from the blood, the effects of medication may become prolonged, particularly sedating drugs. The American Gastroenterological Association goes on to describe that blood pressure may rise in veins that feed blood into the liver, resulting in the enlargement of the spleen. Additionally, other blood vessels may become enlarged in the stomach and esophagus and cause bleeding in these areas. If cirrhosis becomes severe enough, the American Liver Foundation indicates that liver failure may occur, and the liver may no longer function at all. This condition is life-threatening and requires immediate medical care.
References
- American Liver Foundation: Cirrhosis
- American Liver Foundation: The Progression of Liver Disease
- The American Gastroenterological Association: Understand Cirrhosis of the Liver
- MayoClinic: Cirrhosis
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Cirrhosis of the Liver
