Cirrhosis – pronounced suh-ROH-sis

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver due to injury or long-term disease. Scarring of the liver causes the liver to slowly deteriorate and malfunction. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue and partially blocks the normal flow of blood through the liver.

Many people who have cirrhosis have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

Some people may live many years with cirrhosis without being aware that their liver is scarred because the pressure in the portal vein is not yet too high and there are still enough healthy liver cells to keep up with the needs of their body.

As the disease progresses, a person may experience the following symptoms:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain and bloating when fluid accumulates in the abdomen.
• Itching
• Spiderlike blood vessels under the skin.