Cirrhosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Written by Sumiran Racherla, MD. Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Cirrhosis?
A hepatologist (a liver doctor) or a gastroenterologist (a doctor who treats the digestive system, including the liver) usually treats cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that results in poor liver function. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease. Scar tissue forms because of injury or long-term disease. A small number of people with cirrhosis get liver cancer.
Symptoms
There may be no symptoms, or symptoms may come on slowly, depending on how well the liver is working. Often, it is found by chance when an abdominal ultrasound is done or blood is drawn for another reason. Early symptoms include:
- Fatigue and loss of energy.
- Poor appetite and weight loss.
- Nausea or belly pain.
- Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin.
As liver function worsens, symptoms may include:
- Fluid buildup in the legs (edema) or in the abdomen (ascites).
- A yellow color in the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes (jaundice).
- Confusion or problems thinking.
Cirrhosis can lead to enlarged veins in the esophagus and stomach, called varices. Varices can bleed suddenly. It can also lead to kidney failure.
Causes and who gets it
Cirrhosis is most often the end result of long-term liver damage from chronic liver disease. Hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection is a common cause in the United States. So is alcohol overuse. Another common cause is a buildup of fat in the liver that is not caused by drinking too much alcohol. This fatty liver disease is closely related to being overweight, having high blood pressure, diabetes or pre-diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Less common causes include autoimmune hepatitis. This is when immune cells attack the liver by mistake. Bile duct disorders can also cause cirrhosis. So can some medicines. So can liver diseases passed down in families.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will diagnose cirrhosis with blood tests, imaging tests, or a biopsy. A health care provider will do a physical exam to look for signs such as an enlarged liver or spleen. Hepatitis virus testing can help find the cause. FibroScan is a special ultrasound that measures stiffness and fat content in the liver. An endoscopy can check for abnormal veins in the esophagus or stomach. You might need a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treating the cause can keep cirrhosis from getting worse. In most cases, the liver cannot heal or return to normal function once the damage is severe. Some things you can do to take care of your liver disease are:
- Drink no alcohol.
- Get vaccinated for diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis A and B, and pneumococcal disease.
- Talk to your provider about all medicines you take, including herbs, supplements and over-the-counter medicines.
- Control your underlying metabolic problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Medicines from a provider can include:
- Water pills (diuretics) to get rid of fluid buildup.
- Vitamin K or blood products to prevent excess bleeding.
- Antiviral medicines that can cure hepatitis C in most people.
- Antiviral medicines that slow or stop hepatitis B and protect the liver.
- Medicines that lower pressure in the enlarged veins, so a bleed is less likely.
- Medicines that lower toxins in the brain when liver failure causes confusion.
New medicines are being created to treat MASH. MASH is a buildup of fat in the liver that is not caused by drinking too much alcohol. The FDA has approved a medicine called resmetirom (Rezdiffra). Your provider can discuss whether you should be treated with this medicine. Other treatments include removal of fluid from the abdomen, called paracentesis. A procedure called TIPS places a shunt to improve blood flow in the liver. When cirrhosis progresses to end-stage liver disease, a liver transplant may be needed.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of cirrhosis. Never stop a medicine on your own. Your doctor decides. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have any of these:
- Abdominal or chest pain.
- Belly swelling or ascites that is new or suddenly gets worse.
- Confusion or a change in alertness, new or getting worse.
- Rectal bleeding, black or bloody stools, vomiting blood, or blood in the urine.
- Shortness of breath.
- Yellowing skin or eyes (jaundice) that is new or gets worse quickly.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can review all the medicines you take, including herbs and supplements.
Common questions
Can cirrhosis be cured?
Not usually. In most cases, the liver cannot heal or return to normal function once the damage is severe. Treating the cause can keep cirrhosis from getting worse. A liver transplant may be needed when cirrhosis progresses to end-stage liver disease.
Can you have cirrhosis without any symptoms?
Yes, there may be no symptoms, or symptoms may come on slowly. Often, it is found by chance when an abdominal ultrasound is done or blood is drawn for another reason.
Should people with cirrhosis drink alcohol?
No, a person with cirrhosis should drink no alcohol. People who are worried about their drinking should talk to their provider.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Cirrhosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
- MedlinePlus - Cirrhosis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Treatment for Cirrhosis
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
