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It is a life threatening condition that requires immediate medical care. Stages of liver diseases include inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and end stage liver disease (ESLD). In the early stages, people may have no symptoms. Earlier diagnosis and treatment can help improve a person’s outlook and survival rate. The liver has many functions. The most important of these include producing bile, storing glycogen, and removing toxins from the bloodstream. Liver failure can be chronic or acute. In people with acute liver failure, the liver rapidly loses its function. In those with chronic liver failure, the liver loses function over a longer period. Stages of liver disease Share on Pinterest JannHuizenga/Getty Images Liver disease refers to any condition that causes damage to the liver and may affect its function. Liver failure is the term for the liver losing some or all functionality. Liver disease can lead to liver failure. According to the American Liver Foundation , liver disease may go through the following stages of progression that can ultimately lead to liver failure. Stage 1: Inflammation During the early stages of liver disease, people may experience liver inflammation . It is common not to feel discomfort or other symptoms during the earlier stages of liver disease. However, without treatment, the inflammation may remain, and it can start to cause permanent damage to the liver. Stage 2: Fibrosis Without treatment, scarring may start to develop on the inflamed liver. Excessive buildup of scar tissue on the liver is called liver fibrosis . Over time, excess scar tissue replaces the liver tissue. As scar tissue builds up, the liver may not function as well as it previously did. Additionally, the scar tissue can stop blood from flowing through the liver. If someone seeks medical attention and treatment at this stage, the liver may still be able to heal. Stage 3: Cirrhosis At this stage, hard scar tissue replaces the liver’s soft, regular tissue. At this stage, people may begin to notice symptoms. Cirrhosis can lead to complications, including malnutrition and liver cancer . Without treatment, cirrhosis can worsen. As a result, the liver may stop working properly or at all. Generally, once cirrhosis is present, it is not reversible. However, in certain cases of compensated cirrhosis, healthcare professionals may be able to identify the cause of cirrhosis and improve the degree of scarring. Key terms explained Compensated cirrhosis: In which the liver has scarring but still functions. Decompensated cirrhosis: In which the liver has more extensive scarring and no longer functions as it should. Stage 4: End stage liver disease (ESLD) At this point, a person’s liver function has deteriorated to such an extent that, unless they undergo a liver transplant , their condition will be fatal. Some doctors may also refer to ESLD as chronic liver failure. The average survival rate of people with ESLD depends on various factors, including organ donor availability, complications, and active substance use. People who develop ascites , a buildup of fluid in the abdomen, have a median survival rate of 6 months if it does not respond to treatment. ESLD can also lead to complications, such as hepatic encephalopathy , which affects brain function. Causes of liver failure The potential causes of acute and chronic liver failure vary. In some cases, doctors do not know the cause. Acute liver failure Possible causes of acute liver failure include : Drug use: Certain medications and substances, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) , may lead to acute liver failure. Viral causes: Certain viral infections, such as viral hepatitis or the Epstein-Barr virus , can lead to acute liver failure. Immune or metabolic diseases: This can include conditions such as Wilson’s disease , a genetic condition in which large amounts of copper accumulate in the body. Pregnancy-related conditions: Conditions that can occur due to pregnancy, such as acute fatty liver of pregnancy, can lead to acute liver failure. Other conditions: Other health conditions, such as Budd-Chiari syndrome , in which the veins of the liver narrow, can lead to acute liver failure. Chronic liver failure Potential causes of chronic liver failure include : Alcohol-associated liver disease: This results from excessive alcohol over a long period. This is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: This umbrella term encompasses a range of conditions that cause high levels of fat to accumulate in the liver. Chronic viral hepatitis: Chronic infections with hepatitis B, C, or D can lead to chronic liver disease. Genetic causes: Certain genetic conditions, such as Wilson’s disease, or genetic irregularities can cause chronic liver disease. A deficiency in Alpha-1 antitrypsin is the most common cause in children. Autoimmune causes: Certain autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis or primary biliary cholangitis , a progressive liver disease, can cause chronic liver failure. Other causes: Substance use and other health conditions, such as Budd-Chiari syndrome, can cause chronic liver failure. Symptoms of liver failure Acute liver failure is a medical emergency, and a person should seek prompt medical attention if they experience the following symptoms: diarrhea nausea and vomiting abdominal pain fever fatigue jaundice pale stools dark urine Chronic liver diseases progress more slowly than acute ones. Initially, a person may not experience any symptoms or symptoms may be vague, such as fatigue and unexplained weight loss . People with the more advanced stages of liver disease may have the following symptoms: jaundice confusion easy bruising or bleeding swollen legs or abdomen dark urine itching skin vomiting blood Treatment options Treatment for liver disease will vary depending on the stage and underlying cause of the disease. If someone receives treatment at the inflammation or fibrosis stage, the liver may be able to reverse the damage. However, treatment for the later stages of liver disease can only stop it from worsening, with the aim of prolonging life. Possible treatments for people who experience chronic or acute liver disease include: Antiviral medications: If the cause of the liver disease is viral hepatitis, a person may require antiviral medications . Immunosuppressing medication: This type of medication is necessary for people experiencing autoimmune hepatitis . Lifestyle choices: When the cause of the liver disease is related to alcohol or obesity , a doctor may advise the person to stop drinking or try to lose weight . Liver transplant: In cases of ESLD, a person may require a liver transplant. This procedure is extremely complex and relies on the availability of a suitable donor. Preventing liver disease A person can minimize their risk of developing liver disease by: reaching or maintaining a moderate weight avoiding excessive alcohol consumption completing the hepatitis vaccination schedule following the dosages that a doctor recommends, if taking medication engaging in regular physical activity Outlook If someone seeks medical treatment during the early stages of liver disease and adopts a healthy lifestyle, their liver might be able to heal from any previous damage. However, once a person is in the cirrhosis stage of liver disease, in most cases , the damage becomes irreversible. Treatment during this stage is usually to stop the damage from worsening and prolong a person’s life. A 2022 review suggests that people with compensated cirrhosis live for a median of less than 12 years, while people with decompensated cirrhosis live for an average of around two years. Factors such as treatment and complications can affect survival rates. Seeking treatment can help to prolong a person’s survival even with later stages of liver disease. Summary Liver failure occurs when the liver is no longer able to function as it should. It can occur rapidly in people with no preexisting liver disease, or it may develop over a long period. Treatment options vary depending on the cause and stage of the disease. A person can reduce the risk of developing liver diseases that may lead to liver failure by making lifestyle adjustments and getting certain vaccinations. Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Liver Disease / Hepatitis Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Transplants / Organ Donations How we reviewed this article: Sources Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy . Cirrhosis. (2025). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cirrhosis/ Girish V, et al. (2025). Acute liver failure. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482374/ How liver diseases progress. (2025). https://liverfoundation.org/about-your-liver/how-liver-diseases-progress/ Kumar R, et al. (2023). Compensated liver cirrhosis: Natural course and disease-modifying strategies. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10523240/ Liver disease. (2023). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/liver-disease/ Phillips CA, et al. (2022). Palliative care for patients with end-stage liver disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10025682/ Sharma A, et al. (2023). Chronic liver disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554597/ Wazir H, et al. (2023). Diagnosis and treatment of liver disease: Current trends and future directions. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10763979/ Share this article Medically reviewed by Kelsey Trull, PA-C — Written by Louise Morales-Brown — Updated on October 2, 2025 Latest news New resistance training guidelines debunk 3 myths for stronger muscles Type 1 diabetes linked to significantly higher dementia risk, large U.S. study finds Does lithium work for memory loss? Experts answer 4 key questions Meningitis B: How does it spread and when should you see a doctor? New guidelines on cholesterol management: Experts explain the updates Related Coverage Fatty liver: Is it hereditary? 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