Cirrhosis is a disease in which the liver cells become
permanently damaged, and the structure and function of the liver
is permanently altered. Once liver damage has occurred, the
damaged areas are replaced by scar tissue. Blood does not flow
properly through scarred liver tissue, and this interferes with
important liver functions. The liver plays a crucial role in
numerous bodily functions, including the production of blood
clotting factors, production of bile, cholesterol metabolism,
maintenance of normal blood sugar concentrations, and
detoxification of toxins such as alcohol and drugs. Because the
role of the liver is so diverse and so critical to life, liver
diseases such as cirrhosis can severely disrupt normal body
functions. Many conditions can lead to cirrhosis, including
viral hepatitis, inherited diseases, prolonged obstruction of
the bile ducts, severe drug reactions, and chronic exposure to
environmental toxins. The most common cause of cirrhosis is
chronic alcohol abuse. Approximately 27,000 Ame