Patient education: Cirrhosis (The Basics)

What is cirrhosis? — Cirrhosis is a disease that scars the liver. The liver is a big organ in the upper right side of the belly (figure 1). Damage to the liver can cause heavy bleeding, swelling, and breathing problems.

What are the symptoms of cirrhosis? — Some people with cirrhosis have no symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they can include:

●Swelling in the belly and legs, and fluid buildup in the lungs

●Heavy bleeding from blood vessels in the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach)

●Bruising or bleeding easily

●Trouble breathing

●Feeling full

●Feeling tired

●Trouble getting enough sleep or sleeping too much

●Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, called jaundice

●Confusion that can start suddenly

●Coma

Cirrhosis makes it more likely that you will get infections. It can also increase your risk of liver cancer.

What causes cirrhosis? — When something harms the liver, the organ tries to fix itself. In the process, scars form. Causes of liver damage include:

●Heavy alcohol use – People with heavy alcohol use are at higher risk for cirrhosis.

●Hepatitis B or hepatitis C – These are liver diseases caused by viruses. People can get the viruses by sharing needles or having sex with people who are infected.

●Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis ("NASH") – People with this condition often don't drink alcohol. Doctors aren't sure what causes NASH. But many people who have it are overweight and have diabetes.

Is there a test for cirrhosis? — Yes. Tests include:

●Biopsy – For this test, a doctor puts a needle into your liver. They use the needle to take out a small sample of tissue. The sample will show how severe the damage is.

●Blood tests – Results can show what is causing the disease.

●Imaging tests – These tests create pictures of your liver. They might include an ultrasound or MRI scan.

Is there anything I can do on my own? — Yes. To help prevent further liver damage, you can:

●Avoid alcohol.

●Talk to your doctor before you start taking any new medicines. This includes pain relievers such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve), or acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol). Also, talk to your doctor before taking any herbs, vitamins, or supplements. Some medicines and supplements can damage the liver.

●Ask your doctor if you should be vaccinated against hepatitis A or B.

How is cirrhosis treated? — Treatments depend on the cause of cirrhosis, how severe it is, and what symptoms you have.

Treatments fall into a few main categories. They can:

●Treat the cause of the disease – Some causes of cirrhosis can be treated. For example, people with cirrhosis caused by heavy alcohol use can stop drinking alcohol. People with chronic hepatitis C or B can take medicines.

●Lower the risk of bleeding – Cirrhosis can cause the blood vessels around the esophagus to swell or even burst and bleed (figure 2). To prevent this, doctors can:

•Prescribe medicines called "beta blockers." These medicines reduce blood pressure in the liver, and help reduce the chance of bleeding.

•Place tiny bands around the swollen blood vessels. This procedure is called "variceal band ligation."

●Decrease fluid buildup in the belly – In people with cirrhosis, the belly sometimes fills with fluid. To decrease fluid buildup, doctors can:

•Prescribe medicines called "diuretics." These are sometimes called "water pills." They make you urinate a lot. People who take diuretic medicines often must also eat less salt.

•Drain the fluid from your belly using a needle. This procedure is called a "paracentesis."

•Implant a device in the liver that reduces fluid buildup in the belly. This procedure is called "TIPS."

●Treat or prevent infection – People with cirrhosis have a higher than normal chance of getting infections. When they get an infection, they can also get much sicker than people without cirrhosis. As a result, people with cirrhosis sometimes need antibiotics to either treat or prevent infection. Most people with cirrhosis should also get the flu vaccine and other vaccines to prevent common infections.

●Treat confusion – Cirrhosis can lead to confusion. Doctors can prescribe different medicines to treat the confusion.

Will I need a new liver? — Some people with severe cirrhosis need surgery to get a new liver. This is called a "liver transplant." Talk to your doctor about this option before you get too sick, to find out if a liver transplant might be an option for you. People often have to wait for up to 2 years to get a new liver.

Can cirrhosis be prevented? — You can lower your chances of getting cirrhosis if you:

●Get help if you have an alcohol problem.

●Get the vaccines for hepatitis B and hepatitis A, if you haven't already.

●Use condoms when having sex.

●Do not share drug needles.

When should I call the doctor? — If you have cirrhosis, call your doctor or nurse if you have:

●Problems with bleeding, like:

•Blood in your stool

•Vomiting blood

•Bleeding or bruising

●Symptoms of infection, such as fever over 100.4°F (38°C) or chills

●Belly pain

●Swollen legs or ankles

●Trouble breathing

●Extreme tiredness

●Confusion

●Yellowing of the skin or whites of your eyes, called jaundice

More on this topic

Patient education: Alcohol use — when is drinking a problem? (The Basics)
Patient education: Hepatitis B (The Basics)
Patient education: Hepatitis C (The Basics)
Patient education: Liver cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Hepatic encephalopathy (The Basics)
Patient education: Fluid in the belly (ascites) (The Basics)
Patient education: Liver transplant (The Basics)
Patient education: Esophageal varices (The Basics)
Patient education: Abdominal paracentesis (The Basics)
Patient education: Diet for adults with cirrhosis (The Basics)
Patient education: Abdominal ultrasound (The Basics)
Patient education: Alcohol and your health (The Basics)
Patient education: Liver panel (The Basics)

Patient education: Cirrhosis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Alcohol use — when is drinking a problem? (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hepatitis B (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hepatitis C (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Liver biopsy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Esophageal varices (Beyond the Basics)