Alcohol is a very common cause of liver cirrhosis.

Its development depends on the amount and regularity of alcohol intake. Chronic, high levels of alcohol consumption injure liver cells. The other causes for liver cirrhosis can depend upon the age and sex of the individual.

In terms of incidence, the next common cause is viral infection, either Hepatitis B or C. These infections in long term produce chronic hepatitis which can result in cirrhosis. Few of them can also develop into cancer of the liver. Vaccination against Hepatitis B has been shown to be protective.

Long standing obstruction to the biliary obstruction may also cause cirrhosis (secondary biliary cirrhosis) and the common causes for obstruction include stricture(narrowing) of bile duct or chronic pancreatitis (chronic inflammation of pancreatic head).

Sometimes, it may be due to stones in the common bile duct, which are long left untreated. Prompt and accurate management of these biliary diseases prevent development of cirrhosis.

Primary biliary cirrhosis, caused by abnormality of immune system predominantly affects women. The other uncommon causes include primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis. Sometimes, it can be due to genetic disorders producing abnormal accumulation of substances like iron and copper.

Rarely it can also be caused by certain drugs, heart failure and parasitic infections.

The writer is HoD of Surgical Gastroenterology at Madras Medical College