Liver Cirrhosis

What is Liver Cirrhosis?

Liver cirrhosis is a progressive condition where healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, affecting the liver’s ability to function. This scarring (fibrosis) makes it harder for the liver to work properly, which affects its ability to filter toxins, produce proteins, fight infections, and support digestion. Treatment can slow its progression and manage symptoms.

Common Causes of Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis can result from multiple underlying conditions and lifestyle factors. Key causes include

Chronic Alcohol Use Disorder: Long-term excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of liver scarring.
Viral Hepatitis: Persistent infection with hepatitis B or C viruses causes inflammation and damage, increasing cirrhosis risk.
Metabolic Dysfunctional-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD): Formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), this condition involves fat buildup in the liver and is linked to obesity and diabetes.
Hereditary Disorders: Conditions like haemochromatosis (iron overload), Wilson’s disease (copper accumulation), and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can impair liver function and cause scarring.
Autoimmune Hepatitis: The immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells, causing inflammation and damage.
Bile Duct Disorders: Diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis damage the bile ducts, contributing to cirrhosis.

Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

Early cirrhosis often shows no symptoms, making diagnosis challenging without clinical tests. Symptoms generally emerge as liver damage becomes severe:

Persistent fatigue and weakness
Easy bruising or bleeding due to clotting abnormalities
Loss of appetite, nausea, and unexplained weight loss
Swelling in lower limbs (oedema) and abdomen (ascites) caused by fluid retention
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) due to impaired bilirubin processing
Itchy skin and spider-like blood vessels (spider naevi)
Changes in the hands, such as redness of palms (palmar erythema) and nail abnormalities (clubbing)
Hormonal changes, including menstrual irregularities in women and gynaecomastia in men
Cognitive difficulties like confusion or drowsiness indicate hepatic encephalopathy

Advanced symptoms may include severe abdominal swelling, muscle wasting, frequent infections, and gastrointestinal bleeding from enlarged veins (varices) in the oesophagus or stomach. If you experience these symptoms, consulting a liver specialist or hepatologist can ensure timely evaluation and management.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a healthcare professional promptly. Early assessment can help identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.

Why Early Detection Matters

Cirrhosis can lead to serious complications, including internal bleeding, infections, confusion, malnutrition, and increased risk of liver cancer. Early diagnosis allows for better management of symptoms and prevention of further liver damage.

At Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), we encourage individuals at risk of liver cirrhosis, such as those with chronic hepatitis, heavy alcohol use, or metabolic liver disease, to undergo regular liver health screenings. Early detection of cirrhosis or its complications can greatly improve treatment options and long-term outcomes.

SJMC’s team is dedicated to supporting patients at every stage of liver disease, from early diagnosis and lifestyle management to advanced therapies and ongoing care.

FAQs About Liver Cirrhosis Causes and Symptoms

Yes, cirrhosis often progresses silently without symptoms until liver damage becomes severe, which is why regular liver health check-ups are essential, especially for at-risk individuals. A blood test may be normal in early cirrhosis.

No, cirrhosis does not usually cause pain. Many people have no pain until complications develop.

Patients almost always have no symptoms until liver scarring is severe. Patients usually develop symptoms only when the liver has failed.

Yes, cirrhosis can develop in non-drinkers due to viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease (also known as MASLD), autoimmune conditions, or genetic disorders. Fatty liver is fast becoming the commonest cause of liver cirrhosis.

Yes. Cirrhosis is potentially reversible. Liver scarring from causes like alcohol or fatty liver disease may improve with lifestyle changes and medical treatment.

While cirrhosis is far more common in adults, children and young adults can develop it due to genetic conditions, autoimmune diseases, or biliary atresia (a congenital bile duct problem). Early diagnosis and management are crucial for younger patients to prevent complications.