Overview
Cirrhosis is permanent scarring of the liver after years of injury — most often from heavy alcohol use, fatty liver disease linked to obesity and diabetes, or chronic hepatitis B or C. The scarred liver struggles to clean the blood, make proteins and handle fluids. Early liver disease is often reversible, which is why screening and early treatment matter.
Symptoms
- Tiredness and weakness
- Yellow eyes or skin
- Swollen abdomen (fluid) and swollen legs
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Itchy skin
- Confusion or sleepiness (advanced)
- Vomiting blood (advanced)
Causes & risk factors
- Long-term heavy alcohol use
- Fatty liver disease linked to obesity and diabetes
- Chronic hepatitis B or C infection
- Prolonged use of certain medicines or unregulated supplements
Treatment & self-care
Care focuses on treating the cause — antivirals for hepatitis, complete alcohol cessation, weight and diabetes control — plus medicines to manage fluid and prevent complications, all under specialist follow-up. A low-salt diet helps with swelling. Advanced cases are monitored for liver cancer and may be considered for transplant where available.
See a doctor urgently if
- Yellow eyes with a swollen abdomen
- Vomiting blood or black stools
- New confusion, drowsiness or personality change
- Rapidly increasing abdominal or leg swelling