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What are the causes of cirrhosis?

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Allergy

Cirrhosis of the liver is the end result of chronic injury to the liver from various causes. They include:Alcoholic Liver DiseaseInfectionChronic Hepatitis B virus infection (with delta hepatitis in some cases)Chronic Hepatitis C virus infectionAutoimmune diseasesAutoimmune hepatitis (AIH)Metabolic diseasesHemochromatosis which is an iron metabolism abnormality leading to iron deposition within the liver.Wilson’s Disease which is a copper metabolism abnormality leading to copper deposition within the liver (Can also present as acute liver failure) Cholestatic Liver DiseasePrimary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) Secondary biliary cirrhosis (extrahepatic biliary obstruction)Biliary atresia (in children)Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) / Non-Alcoholic Steohepatitis (NASH)Drugs (i.e. Methotrexate and Amiodarone)Vascular disease of the liver (i.e. Budd-Chiari Syndrome)Cryptogenic Cirrhosis (unidentifiable cause but may include several cases of NAFLD)Miscellaneous causesAlpha 1 antitrypsin deficiencyGlycogen Storage DiseasesSevere heart failure with congestion of the liverParasitic infestation like schistosomiasis

Basem Alkurdi, MD on behalf of Largo Medical Center

Allergy

Basem Alkurdi, MD from Largo Medical Center explains what causes cirrhosis in this video.

What Are the Causes of Cirrhosis?

Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine

Allergy

There are many causes of cirrhosis of the liver, including:

drinking alcohol heavily during one's life
hepatitis virus
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition of the liver

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Allergy

Cirrhosis has various causes. In the United States, heavy alcohol consumption and chronic hepatitis C have been the most common causes of cirrhosis. Obesity is becoming a common cause of cirrhosis, either as the sole cause or in combination with alcohol, hepatitis C, or both. Many people with cirrhosis have more than one cause of liver damage.

Cirrhosis is not caused by trauma to the liver or other acute, or short-term, causes of damage. Usually, years of chronic injury are required to cause cirrhosis.

This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Continue Learning about Liver Disease

Liver Disease

Liver Disease

The liver assists in both digestion and cleaning toxins from your blood. When the liver is damaged, symptoms often include yellow color in skin and eyes, dark urine, persistent itching, and fatigue. The causes can be viral, as in ...

Hepatitis A-E, or can be due to scarring, cirrhosis, or a liver cancer. You can be at risk for liver disease if you drink heavily, have body piercings, work in health care or another job that exposes you to other people's body fluids. Tests for liver disease include blood tests, scans, and biopsy.

Learn more about Liver Disease

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Liver Disease

The liver assists in both digestion and cleaning toxins from your blood. When the liver is damaged, symptoms often include yellow color in skin and eyes, dark urine, persistent itching, and fatigue. The causes can be viral, as in Hepatitis A-E, or can be due to scarring, cirrhosis, or a liver cancer. You can be at risk for liver disease if you drink heavily, have body piercings, work in health care or another job that exposes you to other people's body fluids. Tests for liver disease include blood tests, scans, and biopsy.

Learn More