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Cirrhosis

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goodtoknow says: Cirrhosis damages the liver permanently and is often caused by drinking too much alcohol. Symptoms of cirrhosis can take years to develop, they include jaundiced, itchy skin, tiredness and weakness, swollen legs and stomach and a loss of appetite. Around 1 in 10 heavy drinkers will eventually get cirrhosis and women are more prone to it than men. It can be diagnosed by blood tests, scans or bioposy and if you have it, you will be advised to stop drinking alcohol immediately to prevent any further damage to your liver.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of cirrhosis from patient.co.uk, read on.

Cirrhosis is serious condition which causes 'scarring' of the liver. It tends to progress slowly and often does not cause symptoms in its early stages. However, as the function of the liver gradually becomes worse, serious problems can develop. In the UK, the two common causes of cirrhosis are heavy alcohol drinking and infection with hepatitis C. Treatments may vary, depending on the underlying cause. When cirrhosis becomes severe, a liver transplant may be the only option.

What does the liver do?

The liver is in the upper right part of the abdomen. It has many functions which include:

Storing glycogen (fuel for the body) which is made from sugars. When required, glycogen is broken down into glucose which is released into the bloodstream.
Helping to process fats and proteins from digested food.
Making proteins that are essential for blood to clot (clotting factors).
Processing many drugs that you may take.
Helping to remove or process alcohol, poisons and toxins from the body.
Making bile which passes from the liver to the gut and helps to digest fats.