Causes Of Cirrhosis of the Liver

How Do You Get Cirrhosis Of The Liver?

Cirrhosis deaths Cirrhosis kills about 26,000 people a year in the United States alone, and is the twelfth leading cause of death by disease in the US.

When non-medical people talk about cirrhosis, they usually call it "cirrhosis of the liver." But medically speaking, cirrhosis only occurs in the liver so there's no need to add the words "of the liver" to the word "cirrhosis."

But however you refer to it, as cirrhosis of the liver or simply as cirrhosis, it's bad news.

To understand what cirrhosis is, you need to know a little bit about how the liver works.

The liver performs multiple metabolic functions in the human body, and you literally can't live without it. One of the most important functions of the liver is "garbage disposal." The liver removes germs and bacteria from the blood, neutralizes poisons in the blood, and produces the chemicals that help control infection. It produces bile, which works to absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins. The liver also manufactures proteins that regulate blood clotting.

Cirrhosis occurs when scar tissue replaces normal, healthy liver tissue. This scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and prevents it from "disposing of the garbage."

How do you get cirrhosis of the liver? When you mention cirrhosis of the liver to someone, they'll probably think of alcohol abuse as the primary cause. Alcohol abuse is one of the major causes of cirrhosis, but hepatitis C is also a frequent cause of cirrhosis.

Let's look at some of the causes of cirrhosis of the liver separately.

Alcoholic liver disease Alcohol seems to damage the liver by interfering with the normal metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fats. Cirrhosis usually develops after years of heavy drinking. Every person's liver is different, so there's no way to spell out exactly how much alcohol someone can consume before cirrhosis sets in. In women, it may take only 2-3 drinks a day. In men it's more likely to be 3-4.

Autoimmune hepatitis This form of liver disease is apparently caused by the immune system attacks the liver. Such attacks cause damage, inflammation and scarring. NASH is characterized by elevated blood levels of liver enzymes. Fat cells accumulate in the liver along with fibrosis. If NASH goes untreated, it can progress to cirrhosis and even cause death. 

Blocked bile ducts When bile ducts are blocked, bile backs up and causes damage to liver tissue.

Chronic hepatitis C Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes low grade damage and inflammation of the liver. Over a period of time, often decades, cirrhosis of the liver can result.

Chronic hepatitis B and D The hepatitis B virus probably causes more cirrhosis around the world than any other factor, even though it's less common in the United States and most other Western countries. Like hepatitis C, hepatitis B causes liver inflammation and injury that over a long period of time and can eventually cause cirrhosis. Hepatitis D is also a virus that infects the liver, but hepatitis D only occurs in people who have already contracted hepatitis B.  

Heart problems Repeated episodes of heart failure with liver congestion can lead to cirrhosis.

Infections, drugs and toxins A severe reactions to prescription drugs or prolonged exposure to environmental toxins can lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can also be caused by a parasitic infection known as schistosomiasis

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH Also known as Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NASH is a fatty inflammation of the liver that's not due to excessive use of alcohol. Fat builds up in the liver and eventually causes tissue to become scarred.

These are some of the common causes of cirrhosis. See our related article on cirrhosis symptoms.

Sources and Resources:

Mayo Clinic, The National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse and The American Liver Foundation   

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