Cirrhosis risk factors
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Risk Factors
- Chronic alcohol abuse: This is the most common cause of cirrhosis in the United States and other western countries.
- Chronic Hepatitis B and C viruses and perhaps other viruses, can damage the liver over a prolonged time and eventually cause cirrhosis. This is the most common cause of cirrhosis in some Asian countries.
- Autoimmune hepatitis: The body's protective antibodies injure the liver cells because they fail to recognize the liver as its own tissue.
- Chronic bile duct blockage
- Wilson's Disease or hemochromatosis: Metals are present in all body cells. When abnormal amounts of them accumulate in the liver, scarring and cirrhosis may develop.
- Cystic fibrosis and Alpha l-antitrypsin deficiency
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Drugs and toxins: Studies demonstrate that prolonged exposure to certain chemicals or drugs can damage the liver.