Liver disease is any condition that damages the liver and keeps it from working normally. It may be caused by viruses, immune system problems, metabolic disorders, and genetics. Cancer and other growths can cause it. Other causes are long-term alcohol use, some medicines, and toxic chemicals.

When the liver is not working normally for more than 6 months, it's called chronic liver disease (CLD). There are several scoring systems for the various types of CLD. These scoring systems help guide treatments. They're also used to figure out the course (prognosis) of the disease.

Treatment will depend on the stage. It may include things like taking medicines or changing how you eat, such as limiting salt. You also may be asked to not drink alcohol. For more severe cases, a transplant may be needed.

These stages are based on the American Liver Foundation’s progression system for CLD. This system helps with diagnosing and treating CLD. It is also used to explain how CLD may progress over time. Doctors may use other staging systems when diagnosing and treating CLD.

This stage is sometimes called hepatitis (liver inflammation). There is a small amount of scar tissue. But the liver still works normally.

The liver performs a range of complex and important functions that affect the whole body. Some of these functions use inflammation and healing as part of the process. This is controlled by the body. But when the inflammation is not well controlled, liver disease can start. Viral infections, immune system problems, drinking too much alcohol or eating too much fatty food can cause long-lasting inflammation. This can affect the liver's normal process.

Normally, extra collagen that is deposited in the tissue is removed. But when the liver doesn't function properly and the inflammation doesn't stop, the extra collagen continues to build up and stiffen. It isn't removed as it normally is. Then scar tissue develops or can start to form.

Scarring (fibrosis) usually occurs at this stage. This means more scar tissue has formed and liver function may begin to decline.

Scar tissue can limit or block blood flow in the liver. This can lead to the death of healthy liver cells. When these cells die, more scar tissue can form. Scar tissue can't work or repair itself like healthy liver cells can. Over time, scar tissue continues to harm the liver.

Fibrosis can often be stopped and reversed if it is caught and treated early.

There is severe, permanent scarring in the liver. This can change the shape or position of the liver. At this stage, advanced liver scarring is called cirrhosis. It's often divided into two stages.

• Compensated. There may be no symptoms or they may be mild.
• Decompensated. Symptoms are present.

There is no cure for cirrhosis. But treatment can help manage symptoms, treat the cause, and slow or sometimes stop the disease from getting worse. Because of the increased risk for liver cancer at this stage, your doctor may also do regular screening for liver cancer.

The liver is no longer able to work normally. This stage is end-stage liver disease (ESLD), or chronic liver failure. It is the most advanced stage of CLD. The liver can't do its many jobs. This can cause swelling in the belly, mental confusion, and a lack of energy. The treatment for ESLD is usually a liver transplant.