The liver is an important organ that supports almost every organ in the body and is vital for survival. Because of its strategic location and multidimensional functions, the liver is also prone to many diseases. Although the mere mention of liver disease is typically linked to alcohol or drugs, the sober truth is that there are over 100 known forms of liver disease caused by a variety of factors and affects everyone from infants to older adults.
Cirrhosis is a prevalent liver-related condition that most people are acquainted with. Liver cirrhosis is a term that refers to a group of chronic diseases of the liver in which normal liver cells are permanently damaged and replaced by scar tissue. When scar tissue develops in the liver, the amount of normal liver tissue decreases and the liver is unable to function normally. Liver cirrhosis is a serious condition, for the liver is a very important part of the digestive system. Cirrhosis blocks the flow of blood through the liver and prevents it from working as it should. Liver damage cannot be reversed, and unfortunately, cirrhosis does not always produce symptoms in its early stages. As the disease progresses liver function is increasingly diminished. It is the end stage of many different forms of liver disease and is known to cause a number of other health problems, including variceal bleeding, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy