Stages of Liver Disease

Although controlled inflammation is crucial for maintaining the liver's proper function and balance, when it becomes dysregulated, it contributes to the advancement of liver disease. This harmful inflammation is known as hepatitis.

When a person suffers from liver disease, their liver becomes trapped in a perilous cycle. Chronic inflammation, known as hepatitis, constantly prompts repair cells to deposit collagen. Normally, this collagen would stiffen around the tissue and a signal would eventually stop the inflammation and remove the excess collagen. However, in this case, the inflammation persists, causing even more collagen to accumulate and leading to increased tissue stiffening. This process results in the development of fibrosis.

Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver becomes extensively scarred and permanently damaged. Although cirrhosis is often associated with alcohol-related liver disease, it can result from various types of liver diseases.