Liver cirrhosis is the result of the end stages of liver disease or risk factors that cause serious liver damage (such as chronic alcoholism). Initially, there are very few symptoms, but as cirrhosis progresses, signs become more severe. Cirrhosis is when the liver has reached a state of damage from which the remaining cells try to recover by multiplying rapidly. Unfortunately, this causes large amounts of scar tissue to build up, which disrupt the liver’s ability to filter and replenish blood flowing through the heart—which means all that blood isn’t cleansed of toxins.
While there are many treatments available for liver diseases, liver cirrhosis is irreversible. A quick diagnosis and treatment plan for the underlying disease may mean that the damage can be halted or at least slowed in its progression. However, there is no return from the development of cirrhosis. While liver transplants are possible, these are generally reserved for extremely serious cases of very advanced cirrhosis. Additionally, a transplant comes with its own set of complications that can make matters worse (for example, the body may reject the new liver).
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