Jackson, MS
A 51-year-old male asked:
What is the process of dying of liver cirrhosis?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Philip Gillyanswered
Addiction Medicine 40 years experience
Unfortunately ...: This is a slow gradual process. The liver functions similar to a municipal waste water treatment plant. When it no longer works, toxins and waste products build up and poison the body from the inside. It is essential that you avoid putting anything unhealthy into your body and following all of your doctors' recommendations to keep flushing out unneeded fluids and chemicals from your body.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Anatoly Belilovskyanswered
Pediatrics 36 years experience
Variceal bleeds: People with cirrhosis usually die of variceal bleeding: the increased pressure in the portal vein causes swelling of the venous branches around the esophagus (varices) while the liver cannot make enough clotting factors; once a vein pops and starts bleeding, it is very hard to stop that.
It is also possible for blood ammonia (which liver usually takes away) to rise to levels that cause coma.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 26, 2020
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