Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure, which will eventually stop the liver working and can have fatal consequences.
The condition usually takes years to reach this stage, and while treatment can help slow its progression, there is currently no cure available.
In the UK, most causes of cirrhosis are down to drinking too much alcohol over the years, being infected with hepatitis for a long time, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis – a more severe form of non-alcoholic fat liver diseases.
Symptoms may not be apparent in the early stages of cirrhosis, but as your liver becomes more damaged, four things may emerge as a result of the condition.
The NHS says you may begin to feel very tired and weak, feel nauseous, lose your appetite, and lose your sex drive.
As the condition gets worse, further symptoms can develop. These include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (known as jaundice), vomiting blood, itchy skin, and dark, tarry-looking poo.
A tendency to bleed or bruise easily and swollen legs or tummy from a build-up of fluid can also be indicators.
If you think you have any of the symptoms of cirrhosis you should see your GP.
How can you prevent cirrhosis? There are three things you can do to lower your chances of developing the condition.
The best way to prevent alcohol related dementia is to drink within the recommended limits. Both men and woman should not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week. Drinking should also be spread over three days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week.
Hepatitis, which can cause cirrhosis, can be contracted by having unprotected sex or sharing needles to inject drugs. To avoid this, use a condom during sex and do not inject drugs.
There is currently a vaccine for hepatitis B available but not for hepatitis C.
To reduce your risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, you should aim to be a healthy weight.
A healthy weight can be achieved through having a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly.
Liver disease caused by obesity and poor lifestyle is a “ticking time bomb” for the NHS, experts recently said.
Around three million Britons are believed to have dangerous levels of fat building up around their livers which could lead to organ breakdown and the need for transplants.
Other liver-related conditions to be wary of are liver cancer. While the condition is rare it is linked to cirrhosis.
Several types of cancer can form in the liver, but hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type.
Signs and symptoms of the disease are difficult to spot to begin with, but you should visit your GP when you start to notice them.
