Cirrhosis is a serious, irreversible liver disease where there is widespread fibrosis and the formation of nodules, which occur when functioning liver tissue is replaced with bands and small lumps of scar tissue. It can be caused by viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, a blocked bile duct, heart disease or deposition of iron or copper in the liver.
Cirrhosis causes cell failure and dangerously high pressure on the portal vein. The cell failure results in jaundice, fatigue, easy bruising and bleeding and mental changes. The hypertension on the portal vein, which brings blood to the liver from the intestines and spleen, causes the spleen to enlarge. The spleen then tends to be overactive and destroy red and white blood cells and platelets. The blood is unable to flow through the portal vein and is diverted to veins in the stomach and esophagus.
These swollen veins can burst, and the suffer will vomit blood and pass blood in the faeces. This loss of blood is a common cause of death in people with cirrhosis. This can be treated with blood transfusions, but this only treats the symptoms and not the cirrhosis itself.
There is a clear link between the abuse of alcohol and the occurrence of liver cirrhosis. Daily ingestion of at least a pint of alcohol daily in the form of spirits for more than ten years is needed for severe liver damage to occur. It is the amount of alcohol drunk rather than the type that is the most important factor in developing cirrhosis.
The alcohol stops the metabolic processes in the liver, causing the cell failure, and the lack of protein in the average alcoholics diet makes the condition worse. A person with liver cirrhosis may be able to improve their condition if there is no further consumption of alcohol and extensive bed rest. A diet high in protein is also beneficial, although the liver will never recover its full function again.
