Cirrhosis is the result of chronic or prolonged scars and liver damage. The damage may be the result of kidney disease, or it may be due to conditions such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. A healthy liver filters harmful substances from your blood and sends healthy blood to your body. As substances damage the liver, scar tissue forms. As more scar tissue is formed, the liver has to work harder to function properly. Eventually, the liver may stop functioning.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Risk factors for cirrhosis include:
- Chronic alcohol use
- Accumulation of fat around the liver (non-fatty liver disease)
- Chronic viral hepatitis
Stay away from behaviors that can damage the liver to help prevent cirrhosis. Prolonged alcohol use and misuse is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis, so avoiding alcohol can help you prevent harm. Similarly, you can avoid non-fatty liver disease by eating healthy and rich in fruits and vegetables and eating a low sugar and fat diet. Finally, you can reduce the likelihood of contracting viral hepatitis by using protection during sex and avoiding sharing anything that may be traces of blood. This includes needles, razors, toothbrushes, and more.
Takeaway
While deaths from certain diseases have increased, people with more serious conditions have also decreased. Certain factors, such as an increasing life span, naturally increase the incidence of diseases such as CAD, stroke, and heart disease. But many diseases in this list are preventable and treatable. As medicine progresses and prevention education increases, we may see a decrease in mortality from these diseases.
A good approach to reducing your risk of either of these conditions is a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition and exercise. Smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation can also help. For bacterial or viral infections, proper hand-washing can help prevent or reduce your risk.