Cirrhosis is the buildup of scar tissue in the liver, preventing this vital organ from functioning effectively. While it can result from a number of underlying health issues, the most common causes of cirrhosis are alcohol abuse and hepatitis. Often, the primary treatment for cirrhosis involves addressing the underlying condition which has caused the liver to become damaged. Further treatment for cirrhosis is often aimed at the condition’s symptoms, such as swelling or infection. If cirrhosis advances to the stage of liver failure, an organ transplant is generally the only viable treatment option.
The liver performs a number of important jobs, including filtering toxins from the blood, supporting the immune system, producing bile, and storing certain nutrients. Some health conditions and behaviors can cause the liver to become damaged. Each time the liver sustains damage, it repairs itself, resulting in scar tissue. When large amounts of scar tissue build up in the liver, it can no longer perform its jobs effectively. Interruption of the liver’s work can lead to fatigue, swelling, nausea, increased susceptibility to infection, and, in advanced cases, death.
Treatment for cirrhosis is generally focused on addressing the underlying health condition or behavior responsible for the illness to prevent further liver damage. If the virus hepatitis is responsible for the cirrhosis, for instance, physicians may begin treatment by administering an antiviral medication. When cirrhosis has been caused by alcohol abuse, the first line of treatment is often detoxification combined with a support program for alcohol-dependent individuals. If liver damage has not advanced to a critical stage, removing the underlying cause of the damage may be all that is needed.
As cirrhosis progresses and the liver increasingly loses function, a range of symptoms can present themselves, including swelling, nausea, fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infection. When such symptoms have emerged, treatment for cirrhosis is usually aimed not only at its cause, but also at its complications. For instance, a physician may recommend diuretic pills to reduce cirrhosis-related swelling or administer antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection.
When cirrhosis becomes very advanced, the liver can cease functioning completely. Left untreated, liver failure is often fatal. Generally, the only viable treatment for cirrhosis that has advanced to the stage of liver failure is a liver transplant. Transplant livers usually come from deceased donors, and demand for these organs often greatly exceeds availability. Further, some individuals’ immune systems may reject a transplanted organ.
