WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE . . .

...between fibrosis and cirrhosis?

FIBROSIS is the medical term for the development of fibrous connective tissue, formed as a normal response to injury or damage. On the skin, it is known as scarring.

However, if the fibrosis occurs within a vital organ, which can happen after infections or conditions that trigger inflammation inside the body, it will mean it cannot work as effectively.

Advanced fibrosis of the liver is called cirrhosis. Common causes are non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease.

Cirrhosis is diagnosed when the scarring is so severe that the organ is at risk of failure. At this stage, patients often feel weak, exhausted and nauseous and develop jaundice of the skin, as well as swollen legs.