Cirrhosis of the Liver

Definition: Cirrhosis of the liver is when the the cells of
the liver turn into fatty cells and then to scar tissue.
This happens through time.  A number of diseases can cause
cirrhosis.  Having an alcohol habit will cause the cirrhosis
of the liver through time as will any chronic hepatitis.

Therapy: Initial therapy is to stop the offending agent
which may be alcohol.  If one has infectious hepatitis
it is important to try to destroy the virus.  With chronic
infectious hepatitis, this is very difficult.

End stage liver failure is a very difficult problem.
Symptoms include massive ascites (fluid in the abdomen),
and numerous other system failures.  The blood ammonia
level becomes very high which will cause dementia and
coma.  The liver is required to be in some sort of 
working order in order for life to maintain.  With
progressive liver failure, the body continues to go
down a progressive worsening course until death.

If problems: Seek medical attention.