What's the Difference Between
Liver Disease and Cirrhosis?
It can be difficult to distinguish between liver disease and cirrhosis because many of the symptoms overlap, but knowing a bit more about how each condition is classified, can help further understand the distinctions between them.
LIVER DISEASE
“Liver disease” is broadly classified as one of many conditions that can affect and damage your liver and the essential functions it performs. Over time, untreated or unmanaged liver disease can lead to scarring and more serious complications.
Several factors contribute to liver damage, including infections, use of certain medications, alcohol ingestion, poor diet, blocked or damaged tubes that carry bile from the liver to the intestines, exposure to toxic chemicals and more. There are many kinds of liver diseases and conditions, the most common include:
Alcohol-related liver disease A result of drinking too much alcohol
Non-Alcoholic fatty liver disease Often caused by obesity, insulin resistance or imbalance of lipids in the blood
Hepatitis Inflammation of the liver caused by viruses (most commonly classified as A, B, or C)
LIVER CANCER When cells in the liver grow out of control
Download this FAQ to help answer your questions about liver disease.
CIRRHOSIS
Living with liver disease, or a liver injury, for a long time can lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis occurs when healthy, normal liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, due to persistent swelling and inflammation of the liver. Often, a cirrhosis diagnosis can indicate permanent damage to the liver, and, if not treated, the liver can fail and interrupt functions necessary for daily life, including removing harmful toxins from the blood.
There are many ways cirrhosis can occur in people with liver damage or disease. Common causes of cirrhosis include:
NONALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS (NASH)
A severe form of NAFLD in which the liver becomes inflamed and damaged.
CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS
Long-term inflammation of the liver caused by a hepatitis virus.
CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM
Long-term severe abuse or misuse of alcohol.
BILE DUCT DISEASE
When bile ducts become damaged, bile can back up into the liver, causing damage to liver cells.
SOME GENETIC DISEASES Certain inherited conditions can cause toxic substances to build up and damage the liver (i.e., Wilson's disease, cystic fibrosis)
Liver Disease and Cirrhosis can lead to HE
As the liver becomes damaged from liver disease, it can no longer properly clean the toxins from the blood. Once these toxins travel through the body and reach the brain, Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) symptoms may develop.
Learn more about HE, how it develops, and how to manage the disease.
Liver Disease and Cirrhosis can lead to HE
As the liver becomes damaged from liver disease, it can no longer properly clean the toxins from the blood. Once these toxins travel through the body and reach the brain, Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) symptoms may develop.
Learn more about HE, how it develops, and how to manage the disease.
LEARN ABOUT HERecognizing the Symptoms
Knowing the symptoms of liver disease and cirrhosis is key to your liver health management.
In many cases, liver disease often goes unnoticed until it has severely progressed. If symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Tendency to bruise easily
Early symptoms include:
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Poor appetite and weight loss
- Nausea or belly pain
- Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
As liver function worsens, symptoms may include:
- Fluid buildup in the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites)
- Yellow color in the skin, mucous membranes or eyes (jaundice)
- Redness on the palms of the hands
- Easy bruising and abnormal bleeding, most often from swollen veins in the digestive tract
- Confusion or problems thinking
- Pale or clay-colored stools
- Bleeding from upper or lower intestinal tract
*This list does not represent all possible liver disease symptoms. Make sure to talk to your doctor about any symptoms you may be experiencing that may or may not be associated with liver disease.
Ways to Support Your Liver Health
While it is possible to slow the progression of your liver disease, cirrhosis is not reversible. Having frequent and consistent conversations with your doctor about your symptoms, lifestyle and overall health is key to assessing your risks for liver disease.
Some common tips for liver health include:
-
Adopting a healthy lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising -
Liver disease screenings and blood panel tests
Screening tests help catch the signs of liver disease as early as possible -
Optimizing care for conditions that can lead to liver disease
Regularly seeing your doctor and notifying them if any symptoms of liver disease or cirrhosis occur
If you have liver disease, it is important to follow care instructions given to you by your doctor to optimize your care plan. It is equally as important to include your support system throughout your care journey. This will help maintain your health, reduce your risk for chronic liver disease or cirrhosis, and ensure you receive the proper care you may need.
Ways to Support Your Liver Health
While it is possible to slow the progression of your liver disease, cirrhosis is not reversible. Having frequent and consistent conversations with your doctor about your symptoms, lifestyle and overall health is key to assessing your risks for liver disease.
Some common tips for liver health include:
-
Adopting a healthy lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising -
Liver disease screenings and blood panel tests
Screening tests help catch the signs of liver disease as early as possible -
Optimizing care for conditions that can lead to liver disease
Regularly seeing your doctor and notifying them if any symptoms of liver disease or cirrhosis occur
If you have liver disease, it is important to follow care instructions given to you by your doctor to optimize your care plan. It is equally as important to include your support system throughout your care journey. This will help maintain your health, reduce your risk for chronic liver disease or cirrhosis, and ensure you receive the proper care you may need.
RESOURCES
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with liver disease or HE, you may have some additional questions. Get more information about preventing liver disease and managing HE.
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