Stages of Liver Scarring: From Fibrosis to Cirrhosis
Liver fibrosis occurs when repetitive liver injury causes healthy functional tissue to be replaced by scar tissue. Continued scarring leads to cirrhosis, characterized by altered vascular architecture and impaired metabolic capacity.
Recognizing Warning Signs
While compensated cirrhosis may present with subtle signs like palm redness (palmar erythema) or spider angiomas, decompensated stages present with:
- Abdominal swelling due to fluid accumulation (Ascites).
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin).
- Confusion or drowsiness (Hepatic Encephalopathy).
- Vomiting blood or dark stool caused by esophageal varices.