What are the risk factors for liver cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is advanced scarring that changes the liver's structure and makes it harder for blood to flow through the organ. Repeated inflammation or injury can drive this scarring. Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C, regular heavy alcohol exposure, and metabolic fatty liver disease are common pathways. Autoimmune hepatitis, bile-duct disorders and inherited conditions such as haemochromatosis or Wilson disease can also injure the liver.

Some people have no clear symptoms while scarring develops. Tiredness, itching, easy bruising, ankle swelling or abdominal swelling may appear as liver function changes. Risk is influenced by the cause, its duration and other health conditions, not by a single event alone.

Ask a clinician to identify the cause rather than assuming alcohol is responsible. Testing may include liver blood tests, viral hepatitis tests and imaging. Follow treatment for hepatitis, diabetes or cholesterol as prescribed. Avoid alcohol when advised, check supplements before using them, and seek help with weight or tobacco changes if relevant. If cirrhosis is diagnosed, keep scheduled monitoring because complications can develop without early warning symptoms.

Get urgent medical help for vomiting blood, black or tar-like stools, severe confusion, fainting, new extreme sleepiness, yellowing that is worsening quickly, fever with abdominal pain, or rapidly increasing abdominal swelling. These symptoms can signal bleeding, infection or a change in liver function and should not wait for a routine appointment.

What is the likely cause of my liver scarring? Do I need hepatitis testing or an ultrasound? Which medicines and supplements should I avoid? How will you monitor liver function and complications? What should my family know about inherited liver conditions?