Liver damage is progressive, which means that over time (without diagnosis or successful treatment), it can lead to cirrhosis or end-stage liver disease (ESLD). ESLD is also known as chronic liver failure.
ESLD can be caused by many things, including but not limited to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, ongoing steatotic liver disease* that leads to MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), previously called NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), excessive alcohol use, hereditary liver diseases and more.
People with ESLD may develop complications as the liver loses its ability to do its many jobs.
*Steatotic liver disease is the new name for fatty liver disease.
Medically reviewed on April 2025.
Last updated on June 12th, 2025 at 12:09 pm