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Cirrhosis

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Points to Remember

• Cirrhosis, pronounced suh-ROH-sis, is a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and malfunctions due to chronic injury. Scar tissue replaces normal, healthy liver tissue, preventing the liver from working as it should.
• In the United States, heavy alcohol consumption and chronic hepatitis C have been the most common causes of cirrhosis. Obesity is becoming a common cause of cirrhosis, either as the sole cause or in combination with alcohol, hepatitis C, or both. Many people with cirrhosis have more than one cause of liver damage.

• Other causes of cirrhosis include:
  • Hepatitis B, Hepatitis D, and Autoimmune Hepatitis
  • Diseases that damage or destroy bile ducts
  • Inherited diseases
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Drugs, toxins, and infections
• Many people with cirrhosis have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Abdominal pain and bloating
  • Itching
  • Spiderlike blood vessels on the skin
• As liver function deteriorates, one or more complications may develop. In some people, complications may be the first signs of the disease.
• The goals of treatment are to stop the progression of scar tissue in the liver and prevent or treat complications.
• Treatment for cirrhosis includes:
  • Avoidance of alcohol and other drugs
  • Nutrition therapy
  • Other therapies that treat specific complications or causes of the disease
• Hospitalization may be necessary for cirrhosis with complications.
• A liver transplant is considered when complications of cirrhosis cannot be controlled by treatment.

Hope Through Research

Cirrhosis - pronounced suh-ROH-sis.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition supports basic and clinical research into liver diseases - including cirrhosis - and liver transplantation. Researchers are also studying:

• The mechanisms of cirrhosis reversal in the early stages of the disease
• Potential new approaches to the management of complications of cirrhosis
• The long-term outcome of new drugs to treat portal hypertension
• The development of therapies to prevent and treat the recurrence of hepatitis C after liver transplantation

Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research. For information about current studies, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov.

For More Information About Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis - pronounced suh-ROH-sis.

American Liver Foundation
75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603
New York, NY 10038-4810
Phone: 1-800-GO-LIVER (465-4837) or 212-668-1000
Fax: 212-483-8179
Email: info@liverfoundation.org
Internet: www.liverfoundation.org

Hepatitis Foundation International
504 Blick Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20904-2901
Phone: 1-800-891-0707 or 301-622-4200
Fax: 301-622-4702
Email: hfi@comcast.net
Internet: www.hepfi.org

United Network for Organ Sharing
P.O. Box 2484
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: 1-888-894-6361 or 804-782-4800
Fax: 804-782-4817
Internet: www.unos.org

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References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
December 2008
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

The information discussed above is a general overview and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.