• Published on: Aug 30, 2021
  • 2 minute read
  • By: Dr Rakesh Rai

What Are The Causes Of Liver Cirrhosis?

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"What are the causes of liver cirrhosis?"

Several diseases can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, which is characterized by hardening and scarring to the organ's tissue. These include alcoholism, hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, and fatty liver disease.

Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and hepatitis infection. Smoking and excessive drinking can lead to liver cirrhosis because they reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the liver. Smokers also have an increased risk of developing alcoholic hepatitis if they drink as well. Diseases such as chronic pancreatitis, a condition often caused by alcoholism, may also cause cirrhosis. Hepatitis infections are one prime example; people who will contract this type of virus have a greater likelihood of developing the liver disease later in life than those who haven't been exposed to it.

Cirrhosis is a condition that results when healthy cells inside the liver are replaced by scar tissue because of an injury, infection, or chronic disease. This eventually reduces the functionality of the organ and may eventually lead to liver failure, which in many cases can necessitate a transplant. Prevention and early detection for common conditions associated with liver cirrhosis should be pursued such as hepatitis B or C or Wilson’s Disease (a rare genetic disorder). Treatment options vary depending on the severity of cirrhosis but may include alcohol abstinence, medication to promote regeneration of diseased hepatocytes (specialized cells in the lining), surgery to remove any pools of blood/scar tissue from within the abdominal cavity that would otherwise compress other organs.

There are many possible causes, including genetics, diseases of the biliary tract system, drugs, and alcohol abuse. The cirrhotic liver has less elasticity than a typically healthy liver. This can lead to ruptured blood vessels within the organ that will cause bleeding into the cavity of the organ. The result of this bleeding is swelling and destruction of cells in that area; it's also called 'cirrhosis.' As cirrhosis progresses, there are limits to how much your damaged liver can work towards cleansing and detoxifying your body by removing poisons or toxins from the food you eat - because a damaged liver cannot produce enough bile that helps aid digestion.

There are many causes for liver cirrhosis, so it's not as though we can generalize. Some symptoms of liver damage include jaundice (yellowing skin) and frequent urination. Most signs of liver failure occur only in the advanced stages when the organ becomes too large to be compensated for by other organs or systems of the body. One should also note that alcohol is a primary cause of cirrhosis and often comes with other complications such as malnutrition, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

A) Symptoms of liver cirrhosis include jaundice, bruising easily, abnormal swelling in the legs and abdomen.

B) Hepatitis is a potential cause of liver cirrhosis.

C) Liver cancer can also produce symptoms related to liver cirrhosis such as enlarged lymph nodes or fluid buildup in the abdomen.

D) People who have eaten too much alcohol for many years are more likely to develop chronic alcohol abuse which destroys the cells on your liver causing it to stop functioning for good resulting in death. (this answer would be an ideal opportunity for advertising a medical consultation site but just mentioning their name could result in being reported)

E) Long-term exposure to viral hepatitis B or C

There are many causes of liver cirrhosis. Open sores on the skin, inflammation of the liver (cirrhosis), gall bladder problems, heavy drinking/overuse of alcohol, viral hepatitis, or other infections that cause scarring in the liver.

Liver cirrhosis is most often caused by chronic or acute alcoholism, drug abuse, hepatitis C, and other conditions that impair liver function. Liver cirrhosis causes your liver to be enlarged as its cells increase in number and fill up with fat. Liver cells normally work to get rid of any extra substances found in the blood and body fluids because these substances can cause damage to various organs including the liver. As diseased cells accumulate rapidly in the liver, they cannot do their job efficiently leading to additional organ damage such as end-stage renal disease. This whole process exposes you more easily to viruses such as hepatitis B and C which ultimately leads to advanced disease of the lungs called "cryptogenic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis".

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Simple Habits to Avoid High Cholesterol

Simple Habits to Avoid High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke worldwide. In India, rising cholesterol levels are becoming more common due to sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy food habits, and stress. But the good news is—you can prevent high cholesterol naturally with a few simple habits.

In this blog, we’ll explore easy, everyday steps you can take to keep your cholesterol levels in check and protect your heart.

 

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood. While your body needs some cholesterol to build cells and hormones, too much of the wrong type—called LDL (low-density lipoprotein)—can be harmful. It can build up in your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

There’s also HDL (high-density lipoprotein), which is the “good” cholesterol that helps remove LDL from your body.

 

Why High Cholesterol Is Dangerous

  • Clogs arteries and restricts blood flow
     

  • Increases risk of heart attacks and strokes
     

  • Can lead to high blood pressure
     

  • May affect kidney and liver function
     

The scariest part? High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. That’s why it’s called a silent killer and must be managed before problems begin.

 

7 Simple Habits to Avoid High Cholesterol

 

1. Eat Fiber-Rich Foods Daily

Soluble fiber binds with cholesterol in the gut and removes it from your body.

Best foods for fiber:

  • Oats and barley
     

  • Apples, pears, and oranges
     

  • Beans and lentils
     

  • Flaxseeds and chia seeds
     

Tip: Start your morning with a bowl of oatmeal and add a fruit—it’s a heart-healthy breakfast!

 

2. Stay Active Every Day

Physical activity boosts HDL (good cholesterol) and burns fat that raises LDL.

What to do:

  • Walk briskly for 30 minutes a day
     

  • Try yoga, cycling, or dancing
     

  • Use stairs instead of the lift
     

  • Take short walks after meals
     

Even small movements throughout the day matter.

 

3. Cut Down on Saturated & Trans Fats

These fats raise your LDL cholesterol quickly.

Avoid:

  • Fried food, chips, and baked snacks
     

  • Ghee-heavy sweets
     

  • Processed foods with “hydrogenated oils”
     

Choose instead:

  • Olive oil or mustard oil
     

  • Grilled or baked foods
     

  • Fresh fruits and nuts as snacks
     

 

4. Manage Your Stress

Stress affects your hormones and may raise your cholesterol over time.

Try this:

  • Practice deep breathing or meditation
     

  • Do relaxing hobbies like reading or gardening
     

  • Take tech breaks and sleep 7–8 hours daily
     

  • Talk to someone if you’re feeling overwhelmed
     

A calm mind supports a healthy heart.

 

5. Stay Hydrated and Cut Sugary Drinks

Water helps regulate body functions and weight, which both impact cholesterol.

Do this:

  • Drink 8–10 glasses of water daily
     

  • Avoid soft drinks and energy drinks
     

  • Switch to herbal teas or infused water
     

Too much sugar can raise triglyceride levels, a type of fat in your blood.

 

6. Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol

Smoking lowers good cholesterol and damages arteries. Alcohol, in excess, can also spike cholesterol and blood pressure.

Tip:
Even reducing smoking or drinking frequency helps your heart function better.

 

7. Get Regular Cholesterol Tests

Don’t wait for symptoms. Get your lipid profile checked every year, especially if you have:

  • A family history of heart disease
     

  • Diabetes or high blood pressure
     

  • Obesity or unhealthy lifestyle habits
     

Suggested Test:
Lipid Profile Test by Thyrocare via SecondMedic.com – includes LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides with home sample collection.

 

Normal Cholesterol Levels:

Type

Ideal Range

Total Cholesterol

Below 200 mg/dL

LDL (Bad)

Below 100 mg/dL

HDL (Good)

Above 40 mg/dL (men), 50 mg/dL (women)

Triglycerides

Below 150 mg/dL

 

Tips to Book a Test via SecondMedic:

  1. Visit www.secondmedic.com
     

  2. Search for Lipid Profile Test – Thyrocare
     

  3. Select home collection
     

  4. Fast for 9–12 hours before the test
     

  5. Get results in 24–48 hours
     

 

Bonus Tips

  • Replace white rice with brown rice or millets
     

  • Choose low-fat milk and curd
     

  • Snack on almonds or walnuts
     

  • Cook at home more often than eating out
     

  • Maintain a healthy weight
     

 

Conclusion

You don’t need fancy diets or harsh treatments to manage cholesterol. Just a few simple daily habits can make a big difference in protecting your heart.

By eating better, moving more, managing stress, and staying hydrated, you can keep your cholesterol in check without medication in many cases.

Make your heart health a priority starting today!

Start following these simple habits to avoid high cholesterol and keep your heart happy for years to come.

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