Liver cirrhosis is a serious condition in which healthy liver tissue is gradually replaced by scar tissue, affecting the liver’s ability to function. It often develops silently over many years and is usually diagnosed at a late stage.
Common causes include chronic alcohol consumption, fatty liver disease, hepatitis B and C infections, and metabolic disorders. In India, lifestyle-related liver disease is rapidly increasing.
Symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, abdominal swelling (ascites), jaundice, and easy bruising appear only in later stages. Cirrhosis can lead to life-threatening complications like internal bleeding, infections, liver failure, and increased risk of liver cancer.
Although the damage is often irreversible, early detection and timely treatment can slow disease progression and improve quality of life. Tests like FibroScan, along with blood tests and ultrasound, play a key role in monitoring liver health.
(The writer is Consultant Gastroenterologist, Arihant Hospital, Belagavi)
