Picture your liver as a bustling metropolis within your body, tirelessly working to process nutrients, filter toxins and produce vital proteins. It’s a busy, healthy and very active community – but then the neighbourhood starts to go downhill.
In the early days, the community rallies, cleaning up graffiti and repairing vandalised buildings and playgrounds. It’s a resilient community so they fix things up again the next time there’s a crimewave – and the next. After a while, though, it seems like a futile waste of effort. The community spirit is exhausted. Next time the vandals strike, the windows stay broken and the graffiti isn’t washed off.
Your liver is a bit like this community. It’s a busy, resilient organ, capable of regenerating itself when damaged. But only for so long.
What is liver fibrosis?
Liver fibrosis is the result of the liver trying to heal itself from repeated injury. Each time your liver is damaged, it repairs itself by forming scar tissue.
So, now you have scar tissue where there should be healthy liver cells. Scar tissue can’t do anything – it can’t filter toxins or do anything else that a healthy liver cell would do. Worse than that, scar tissue can cut off blood flow to healthy liver cells – and when they die, more scar tissue is formed, making a bad situation worse.
While fibrosis of the liver doesn’t typically cause immediate problems, it can quietly progress to cirrhosis or even liver failure.
What causes fibrosis of the liver?
Liver fibrosis has many potential causes. These risk factors act as persistent challenges to the liver’s ability to regenerate:
- Chronic alcohol consumption: Long-term excessive drinking places significant stress on the liver.
- Viral hepatitis: Conditions like hepatitis B and C can inflame the liver over time.
- Fatty liver disease : Often associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, fatty liver disease can lead to scarring if untreated.
- Autoimmune disorders: Diseases where the immune system attacks liver cells.
- Toxins or medications: Prolonged exposure to certain drugs or harmful substances.
Each of these causes places the liver in a state of repeated repair, creating a cycle that fosters fibrosis.
Liver fibrosis symptoms: how can you tell?
Liver fibrosis is often a silent condition in its early stages, meaning you may not have any symptoms or clues that something is wrong. However, as the scarring progresses, you may begin to notice signs that your liver is struggling, including:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal discomfort or swelling
- Nausea
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s important to act quickly. Detecting liver fibrosis early can make a significant difference.
Can liver fibrosis progress to cirrhosis?
Left untreated, liver fibrosis may advance to cirrhosis. At this point, the liver’s ability to function effectively is significantly impaired.
Cirrhosis can lead to life-threatening complications, including liver failure, internal bleeding, and an increased risk of liver cancer.
Recovery from liver fibrosis: is it possible?
In its early stages, liver fibrosis can often be reversed or stabilised by addressing the underlying drivers. That may include:
- Reducing alcohol intake or abstaining entirely
- Managing conditions like hepatitis, fatty liver or metabolic syndrome through medication, lifestyle changes and diet.
- Monitoring and managing weight, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
The role of liver scans in diagnosis
One of the best tools for understanding the state of your liver is a liver scan. It’s a non-invasive procedure to measure the stiffness of your liver to judge the extent of any scarring.
This detailed information then guides your treatment options and lifestyle changes, empowering you to support your liver.
Book your liver scan today
At Moonee Valley Specialist Centre, we offer advanced diagnostic tools like liver scans because we understand that your liver is vital to your overall health and well-being.
You don’t need a referral for a liver scan – you can simply book your own appointment and take a proactive step to protect your liver.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Moonee Valley Specialist Centre can consult with you regarding your individual health needs.
References
- MSD Manual, Fibrosis of the liver, https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/liver-and-gallbladder-disorders/fibrosis-and-cirrhosis-of-the-liver/fibrosis-of-the-liver, [Accessed 28 January 2025]
- American Liver Foundation, Fibrosis (scarring), https://liverfoundation.org/about-your-liver/how-liver-diseases-progress/fibrosis-scarring/, [Accessed 28 January 2025]
