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You Are Here » Miscellaneous » Cirrhosis of the Liver » Causes of Cirrhosis of the LiverCirrhosis of the LiverContents of this Article Causes of Cirrhosis of the Liver Cirrhosis, pronounced suh-ROH-sis, has many causes. In the United States, chronic (life long) alcoholism and hepatitis C are the most common ones. Alcoholic Liver DiseaseTo many people, cirrhosis of the liver is synonymous with chronic alcoholism, but in fact, alcoholism is only one of the causes. Alcoholic cirrhosis usually develops after more than a decade of heavy drinking. The amount of alcohol that can injure the liver varies greatly from person to person. In women, as few as two to three drinks per day have been linked with cirrhosis and in men, as few as three to four drinks per day. Alcohol seems to injure the liver by blocking the normal metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. More about Alcoholic Liver Disease Chronic Hepatitis CThe hepatitis C virus ranks with alcohol as a major cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis in the United States. Infection with this virus causes inflammation of and low grade damage to the liver that over several decades can lead to cirrhosis. Chronic Hepatitis B and DThe hepatitis B virus is probably the most common cause of cirrhosis worldwide, but it is less common in the United States and the Western world. Hepatitis B, like hepatitis C, causes liver inflammation and injury that over several decades can lead to cirrhosis. Hepatitis D is another virus that infects the liver, but only in people who already have hepatitis B. Autoimmune HepatitisThis disease appears to be caused by the immune system attacking the liver and causing inflammation, damage, and eventually scarring and cirrhosis. More about Autoimmune Hepatitis. Inherited DiseasesAlpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, hemochromatosis, Wilson Disease, galactosemia, and glycogen storage diseases are among the inherited diseases that interfere with the way the liver produces, processes, and stores enzymes, proteins, metals, and other substances the body needs to function properly. Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)In NASH, fat builds up in the liver and eventually causes scar tissue. This type of hepatitis appears to be associated with diabetes, protein malnutrition, obesity, coronary artery disease, and treatment with corticosteroid medications. Blocked Bile DuctsWhen the ducts that carry bile out of the liver are blocked, bile backs up and damages liver tissue. In babies, blocked bile ducts are most commonly caused by biliary atresia, a disease in which the bile ducts are absent or injured. In adults, the most common cause is primary biliary cirrhosis, a disease in which the ducts become inflamed, blocked, and scarred. Secondary biliary cirrhosis can happen after gallbladder surgery if the ducts are inadvertently tied off or injured. Drugs, Toxins, and InfectionsSevere reactions to prescription drugs, prolonged exposure to environmental toxins, the parasitic infection schistosomiasis, and repeated bouts of heart failure with liver congestion can all lead to cirrhosis.
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