Cirrhosis Liver Prognosis

Cirrhosis is classified as the scarring of the liver that occurs after long-term liver damage. After enough damage, the liver is unable to heal itself and ceases to function. If left untreated, the prognosis for people with cirrhosis is quite poor.

Identification

If caught early enough, damage to the liver caused by cirrhosis can be minimized and the prognosis can be positive. Most often, treatment involves refraining from drinking alcohol; if hepatitis is the cause, medication may be prescribed.

Warning

Severe cirrhosis may cause liver failure. If the liver ceases to function, the patient may have to undergo a liver transplant to survive. According to Merck, after heart disease and cancer, cirrhosis is the third most common killer of people in the age bracket of 45 to 65.

Effects

Other complications of cirrhosis include more frequent infections, liver cancer, malnutrition and pressure placed on the veins that bring blood to the liver.

Types

Cirrhosis can be caused by a number of factors, including disease, alcoholism, parasites and fat buildup. Prognosis can be greatly affected if the cause of the damage is identified and immediately remedied.

Prevention/Solution

Several lifestyle choices can prevent cirrhosis, such as moderating your weight, curbing alcohol intake and ensuring you don't contract diseases like hepatitis that affect the liver.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Cirrhosis
• Merck: Cirrhosis