There are many things that can cause damage to the liver, like too much alcohol or fat, and conditions related to genes and the immune system. When something damages the liver, scar tissue begins to form. This scarring is called fibrosis. When the entire liver is scarred, it shrinks and gets hard. This is called cirrhosis.

Any illness that damages the liver may lead to fibrosis and, eventually, cirrhosis.

A liver with cirrhosis can have a harder time getting all of it’s regular factory work done. This means it can have a trouble making important substances, like blood proteins. It also can have trouble storing what your body needs, like sugar and vitamins. It might not be able to remove all of the toxins and bacteria that your body doesn’t need. And, it can have trouble regulating things like blood clotting.

How is Cirrhosis Diagnosed?

If you suspect you have cirrhosis, make an appointment with your doctor or nurse practitioner.

They may examine you to look for signs of cirrhosis like red palms, small spider-like veins on your face or body and fluid buildup in your abdomen.

They might order blood tests. To learn more about tests related to cirrhosis, visit Lab Tests

Usually a scan (like ultrasound, CT, or MRI) will be done to see what your liver looks like. Another type of scan that measures the amount of stiffness in your liver (as the liver gets scarred, it gets stiffer), may also be done.

Some people might be asked to have a liver biopsy, although this is not as common.

The liver is one of the largest organs in your body. It’s like a factory.

Your stomach and intestines digest what you eat and drink, turning it all into raw materials. The raw materials then enter the liver “factory” through your bloodstream. Your liver cells break them down, purify them, make useful products, and get rid of harmful things.

The liver does many important jobs:

• It makes vital substances such as proteins that help with blood clotting.
• It cleanses the body of toxins like alcohol.
• It produces bile that helps digest food.
• The healthy liver also gathers and stores important substances for your body to use later, such as sugar and vitamins.

The liver can perform these tasks because millions of cells work as a team around the clock.