Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that can lead to liver dysfunction. There are many causes of cirrhosis, but the most common causes are infection with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus, chronic heavy alcohol use, or fat deposits in the liver. Complications of cirrhosis can include jaundice (yellow coloration of the skin), accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, bleeding, altered mental status, kidney failure, and liver cancer. For this reason, patients should be routinely monitored by a physician.
