What’s Actually Happening?

 

🧠 What’s Actually Happening?

Your liver normally:

• Filters toxins

• Processes nutrients

• Produces clotting proteins

• Regulates blood flow

With cirrhosis:

• Healthy cells are replaced by scar tissue

• Blood flow through the liver is blocked

• Liver function declines

• Pressure builds in veins (portal hypertension)

Scar tissue cannot regenerate — but early stages can sometimes be slowed.

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🔥 Common Causes

• Chronic alcohol use

• Chronic hepatitis B or C

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH)

• Long-term bile duct disease

• Certain medications or toxins

Cirrhosis develops over years.

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⚠️ Early Symptoms (Often Mild)

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Easy bruising

Many people have no symptoms at first.

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🚨 Advanced Symptoms

• Yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice)

• Swelling in legs

• Fluid buildup in abdomen (ascites)

• Confusion (hepatic encephalopathy)

• Vomiting blood (varices)

• Severe itching

These are medical emergencies.

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🏥 Complications

• Liver failure

• Internal bleeding

• Kidney failure

• Liver cancer

• Severe infections

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💊 Treatment

There is no cure for scarred liver tissue, but treatment can:

• Stop or slow further damage

• Treat underlying cause

• Manage complications

• In advanced cases: liver transplant

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🛑 Prevention

• Limit or avoid alcohol

• Maintain healthy weight

• Manage diabetes

• Vaccinate for hepatitis

• Regular monitoring if at risk

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⚡ Bottom Line

Cirrhosis is serious and irreversible, but early detection can prevent progression.
Advanced symptoms require immediate medical attention.