[{"Title":"Causes","UniqueID":"v11556035","Index":1.0,"Summary":"

The most common causes of cirrhosis are:

","HeadType":"F_Head","SchemeItemProp":"itemprop=\"cause\" itemscope itemtype=\"http://schema.org/MedicalCause\"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Symptoms","UniqueID":"v759209","Index":2.0,"Summary":"

Many people with cirrhosis have no symptoms and appear to be well for years.

","HeadType":"F_Head","SchemeItemProp":"itemprop=\"signOrSymptom\" itemscope itemtype=\"http://schema.org/MedicalSignOrSymptom\"","Children":[{"Title":"Complications of cirrhosis","UniqueID":"v28485447","Index":1.0,"Summary":"

Many people with cirrhosis have no symptoms and appear to be well for years.

","HeadType":"G_Head","SchemeItemProp":"itemprop=\"signOrSymptom\" itemscope itemtype=\"http://schema.org/MedicalSignOrSymptom\"","Children":[{"Title":"Portal hypertension","UniqueID":"v28485450","Index":1.0,"Summary":"

Portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the portal vein) is a serious complication. When it causes blood to back up in the veins connected to it, these veins may enlarge and twist (called varicose veins). Varicose veins may develop at the lower end of the esophagus ( esophageal varices ), in the stomach ( gastric varices ), or in the rectum (rectal varices). Varicose veins are fragile and prone to bleeding. People may vomit large amounts of blood if esophageal or gastric varices bleed (see Gastrointestinal Bleeding ). If bleeding is slow and continues for a long time, it may cause anemia. If bleeding is rapid and more severe, it may result in shock and death.

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Ascites","UniqueID":"v28485461","Index":2.0,"Summary":"

Portal hypertension plus impaired liver function may lead to accumulation of fluid within the abdomen ( ascites ). As a result, the abdomen swells and may feel tight. Also, the fluid in the abdomen may become infected (called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis).

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Kidney failure","UniqueID":"v28485478","Index":3.0,"Summary":"

Liver failure can eventually lead to kidney failure —a condition called hepatorenal syndrome. In this syndrome, less urine is produced and excreted from the body, resulting in the buildup of toxic substances in the blood. Eventually, people with hepatorenal syndrome have difficulty breathing. This kidney problem can become severe enough to require dialysis .

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Pulmonary hypertension","UniqueID":"v28485456","Index":4.0,"Summary":"

Portal hypertension can cause high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (called pulmonary hypertension or portopulmonary hypertension). This problem can cause symptoms similar to heart failure , such as difficulty breathing, particularly when lying down, and fatigue.

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Deterioration of brain function","UniqueID":"v28485484","Index":5.0,"Summary":"

Liver failure can also cause brain function to deteriorate (called hepatic encephalopathy ) because the damaged liver can no longer remove toxic substances from the blood. These toxic substances then travel through the bloodstream and affect the brain.

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Bleeding irregularities","UniqueID":"v28485469","Index":6.0,"Summary":"

Cirrhosis causes other problems that can interfere with how blood clots ( disordered blood clotting ). Some problems make people more likely to bleed. For example, the spleen may enlarge. The enlarged spleen may trap blood cells and platelets. Thus, fewer platelets (which help blood clot) are in the bloodstream. Also, the damaged liver is less able to produce the proteins that help blood clot (clotting factors).

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Increased risk of infection","UniqueID":"v28485475","Index":7.0,"Summary":"

The number of white blood cells may be reduced (called leukopenia) because the enlarged spleen traps them. When the number of white blood cells is low and the liver's synthesis of proteins that fight infections decreases, the risk of infections increases.

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Poor absorption of fats and vitamins","UniqueID":"v28485465","Index":8.0,"Summary":"

Over time, poor absorption of fats, particularly fat-soluble vitamins, can lead to several problems. For example, when vitamin D is poorly absorbed, osteoporosis can develop. When vitamin K (which helps blood clot) is poorly absorbed, people may bleed more easily.

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Liver cancer","UniqueID":"v28485488","Index":9.0,"Summary":"

Liver cancer ( hepatocellular carcinoma , or hepatoma) can develop in people with cirrhosis. Liver cancer monitoring, also called surveillance (periodic assessment), is required once cirrhosis is developed, because early detection of liver cancer makes curative treatment possible.

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]}]}]},{"Title":"Diagnosis","UniqueID":"v759275","Index":3.0,"Summary":"

A doctor's evaluation

","HeadType":"F_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[{"Title":"Laboratory tests","UniqueID":"v28485611","Index":1.0,"Summary":"

A doctor's evaluation

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Liver imaging tests","UniqueID":"v28485615","Index":2.0,"Summary":"

A doctor's evaluation

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Liver biopsy","UniqueID":"v28485624","Index":3.0,"Summary":"

A doctor's evaluation

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Monitoring for complications","UniqueID":"v11556184","Index":4.0,"Summary":"

A doctor's evaluation

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]}]},{"Title":"Treatment","UniqueID":"v11556190","Index":4.0,"Summary":"

Treatment includes:

","HeadType":"F_Head","SchemeItemProp":"itemprop=\"possibleTreatment\" itemscope itemtype=\"http://schema.org/MedicalTherapy\"","Children":[{"Title":"Treating causes","UniqueID":"v28485628","Index":1.0,"Summary":"

Treatment includes:

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"itemprop=\"possibleTreatment\" itemscope itemtype=\"http://schema.org/MedicalTherapy\"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Treating complications","UniqueID":"v28485638","Index":2.0,"Summary":"

Treatment includes:

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"itemprop=\"possibleTreatment\" itemscope itemtype=\"http://schema.org/MedicalTherapy\"","Children":[]},{"Title":"Liver transplantation","UniqueID":"v28485656","Index":3.0,"Summary":"

Treatment includes:

","HeadType":"H_Head","SchemeItemProp":"itemprop=\"possibleTreatment\" itemscope itemtype=\"http://schema.org/MedicalTherapy\"","Children":[]}]},{"Title":"Prognosis","UniqueID":"v759280","Index":5.0,"Summary":"

Cirrhosis is sometimes reversible but can be progressive unless the cause of cirrhosis is treated. How quickly it will progress is often hard to predict. The outlook for people with cirrhosis depends on the cause, severity, presence of other symptoms and disorders, and effectiveness of treatment. However, the liver is almost always damaged permanently and is unlikely to be normal again.

","HeadType":"F_Head","SchemeItemProp":"","Children":[]}]