Cirrhosis is a serious condition that destroys healthy tissue, leaving scar tissue, which blocks the flow of blood through an organ. It is usually associated with the liver, but can also affect other organs in the body.

The liver carries out many important functions. It stores glycogen, breaking it down into glucose that is then released into the bloodstream, providing energy. It also processes fats and proteins from digested food, produces essential blood clotting substances, removes poisons and toxins, such as alcohol, from the body, and produces bile that passes into the gut and helps digest fats.

Cirrhosis progresses slowly, and gradually causes a decline in the function of the liver. In the early stages of the disease, there may not be any symptoms, but as the condition of the liver deteriorates, serious problems can develop. For example, the liver will fail to control infection and blood clotting, and prevent bile from passing into the small intestine.