Causes of Cirrhosis
Chronic Alcoholism
About 26,000 people die from cirrhosis each year, of which 40 percent have a history of alcohol abuse. The liver breaks down the alcohol into toxic chemicals. Some of these chemicals may trigger the inflammation that results in cirrhosis. Alcohol-related cirrhosis usually occurs after 10 to 15 years of heavy alcohol use, although the amount required to cause cirrhosis varies among individuals. Almost everyone who drinks to excess suffers some liver damage, between 10 and 20 percent of heavy drinkers develop cirrhosis.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and infected bodily fluids. It is spread by way of unprotected sex, human bites, sharing of razors or toothbrushes, from infected mother to newborn through childbirth, unsterilized needles, including tattoo and piercing needles, and through sharing intravenous drug needles.
Chronic hepatitis B can result in potentially fatal liver diseases such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, or HCV. HCV is transmitted primarily through direct exposure to infected blood through an opening in the skin or mucous membrane. Many people who get hepatitis C are able to fight off the virus during the early stage, usually within six months. However, about 60 to 85 percent of those who get HCV are unable to get rid of the virus and develop a chronic hepatitis C infection.
Chronic hepatitis C is a serious condition that damages the liver and can lead to potentially fatal diseases such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Damage caused by hepatitis C is one of the most common reasons for liver transplants.
More than four million people in the United States have been infected with hepatitis C and it is responsible for 8,000 to 10,000 deaths per year.
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), or Fatty Liver
NASH is often linked to diabetes, obesity, coronary artery disease and protein malnutrition.
Fatty liver is the build-up of excess fat in the liver cells. Some fat in the liver is normal, but if fat makes up more than 10% of the liver's weight it is considered fatty liver and more serious complications may develop.
While fatty liver may not cause any damage, sometimes the excess fat causes inflammation of the liver, a condition called steatohepatitis, which does cause liver damage.
Eating excess calories is one of the causes of fatty build-up in the liver. When the liver does not process and break down fats as it should, too much fat accumulates. Fatty liver can develop if a person has other conditions, such as obesity, diabetes or high triglycerides. Alcohol abuse, rapid weight loss and malnutrition may also lead to fatty liver, although some people may develop fatty liver even if they have none of these conditions.
Bile Duct Disease
Bile is a liquid produced in the liver that travels through the bile ducts to the gall bladder and small intestine, where it helps digest fats. If bile ducts become damaged or blocked, bile backs up in the liver, leading to inflammation and eventually cirrhosis. Two kinds of bile duct disease are primary sclerosing cholangitis, which is often linked to colitis, and primary biliary cirrhosis, which usually affects women.
Other Types of Liver Disease
Inherited Diseases
Other causes of cirrhosis can be diseases passed through the genes. Some inherited liver diseases include hemochromatosis, the abnormal accumulation of iron in the liver; Wilson disease, the abnormal accumulation of copper in the liver; Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, the absence of a certain enzyme in the liver; glycogen storage diseases, which prevent the body from properly using sugars; and autoimmune hepatitis, an abnormality of the body's immune system that leads to inflammation of the liver.
Liver Cancer
Hepatitis B and cirrhosis are the main risk factors for developing primary liver cancer, which is cancer that starts in the liver. However, at any stage in the progression of liver disease, one can develop cancer in the liver.
Please e-mail any questions, comments or suggestions to:
