/health-and-wellness/b/weblog/posts/how-serious-is-cirrhosisData from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows deaths from alcohol-related liver disease &ndash; like cirrhosis &ndash; have risen each year since 2006. Nearly all racial, ethnic and age groups have seen increases. The Cleveland Clini...en-USTelligent Community 12https://connect.bcbsmt.com/health-and-wellness/b/weblog/posts/how-serious-is-cirrhosisWed, 01 Aug 2018 05:33:28 GMT6e104328-2028-43b6-bb31-8401437dc51f:39586b96-e287-4836-866a-a1f1f1a87072rudolffairbanks0<p>Cirrhosis is a serious degenerative disease that occurs when healthy cells in the liver are damaged and replaced by scar tissue, usually as a result of alcohol abuse or chronic hepatitis. As liver cells give way to tough scar tissue, the organ loses its ability to function properly. Severe damage can lead to liver failure and possibly death.</p><img src="https://connect.bcbsmt.com/aggbug?PostID=429&AppID=2&AppType=Weblog&ContentType=0" width="1" height="1">