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Cirrhosis Health Article

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Definition

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function as a result of chronic liver disease.

Alternative Names

Liver cirrhosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cirrhosis is caused by chronic liver disease. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the U.S. include:

Other causes of cirrhosis include:

Symptoms

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

Symptoms may develop gradually, or there may be no symptoms.

Signs and tests

During a physical examination the health care provider may find:

  • An enlarged liver or spleen
  • Excess breast tissue
  • Excess fluid in the tissues lining the abdomen (ascites)
  • Expanded (distended) abdomen
  • Reddened palms
  • Red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
  • Smaller (contracted) fingers
  • Small testicles in men
  • Widened (dilated) veins in the abdomen wall
  • Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice)

Tests can reveal liver problems including:

A liver biopsy confirms cirrhosis.

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

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Reviewer Info: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 05/27/2008
 
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