Causes of Liver Fibrosis
There are multiple conditions that can lead to liver fibrosis development over time:
- Chronic Hepatitis B or C infection: These viral infections are a leading cause worldwide as they cause persistent inflammation in the liver.
- Alcohol abuse: Excessive and long term alcohol consumption taxes the liver and prevents it from repairing itself.
- Nonalcoholic fatty Liver Fibrosis Treatment (NAFLD): Characterized by excess fat accumulation in liver cells (hepatocytes) unrelated to alcohol consumption. Risk factors include obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol.
- Autoimmune hepatitis: The immune system attacks the liver in people with this condition.
- Medications: Certain drugs can directly cause liver injury like acetaminophen in overdose or monoclonal antibody treatments.