7 causes of cirrhosis not caused by alcohol

Cirrhosis is thought to be the result of alcohol and drug abuse. There are many other causes of this condition as well.

1. Viral hepatitis

One of the leading causes of cirrhosis is viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis B, C, or D. Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus that leads to tissue damage and inflammation of the liver.

Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood, other body fluids, or unprotected sex. The virus also leads to scarring and cirrhosis of the liver in later stages.

Although hepatitis D is rare, it can occur in people who have previously been infected with hepatitis B. The common feature of viral hepatitis is that symptoms are often subtle in the early days, and by the time symptoms become apparent, the damage is often irreversible.

2. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

There are several lifestyle diseases that can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, etc. Basically, arterial blockage occurs due to the accumulation of fat and cholesterol that forms in the liver, leading to fatty liver.

This condition causes scarring of healthy liver tissue, eventually leading to cirrhosis. It can lead to complications such as jaundice, bloating, etc.

There are many causes of cirrhosis.

3. Medicine

Long-term use of prescription medications such as antidepressants and some antibiotics can also lead to cirrhosis.

4. Autoimmune hepatitis

This condition is different from viral hepatitis. In this disease, the body's immune system begins to attack liver cells, leading to scarring and inflammation.

5. Damaged bile duct

Primary biliary cirrhosis or damaged bile ducts can also cause cirrhosis. When this happens, the bile ducts cannot drain the bile formed in the liver, which is needed for functions such as digesting fats and other fat-soluble vitamins. The buildup of fluid causes scarring and liver damage.

6. Recurrent heart failure

A 2013 study found that liver stiffness increased in patients with heart disease or heart failure. However, the extent of liver damage also depends on the severity of heart disease. But liver stiffness is a measure of how weak the liver becomes after heart failure and, if left untreated, can lead to cirrhosis.

7. Other chronic diseases

Certain chronic diseases can lead to cirrhosis, such as cystic fibrosis, a genetic defect that affects liver function or the liver's ability to convert glycogen into glucose.

Hemochromatosis (too much iron is absorbed and stored in the liver) can also lead to scarring. Wilson's disease, caused by an abnormal amount of copper stored in the liver, can also lead to damage and scarring.

According to Zing.vn