Cirrhosis is a progressive liver disease characterized by the gradual replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue, impairing the liver's ability to function properly. This condition is often caused by long-term liver damage from various factors such as chronic alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis (especially hepatitis B and C), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), autoimmune liver diseases, or genetic disorders affecting liver metabolism.

As cirrhosis progresses, the liver becomes increasingly scarred and nodular, affecting its crucial roles in detoxification, metabolism, and production of proteins and clotting factors. Symptoms of cirrhosis may include fatigue, weakness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fluid retention (edema) in the abdomen and legs, easy bruising and bleeding, and mental confusion (hepatic encephalopathy) due to the buildup of toxins in the bloodstream.

Diagnosis of cirrhosis is often confirmed through imaging tests like ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, and sometimes a liver biopsy to assess the extent of liver damage. Treatment aims to manage symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and address the underlying cause. This may involve lifestyle changes such as abstaining from alcohol, managing underlying liver diseases, and medications to manage complications like portal hypertension (elevated pressure in the liver's blood vessels) or hepatic encephalopathy. In advanced cases, liver transplantation may be necessary.