Hepatitis B and C are the most common viral liver diseases associated with cirrhosis. On the other hand, hepatitis A has never been reported to cause chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. Many inherited disorders result in the accumulation of toxic substances in the liver which lead to tissue damage and cirrhosis. In hemochromatosis, patients inherit a tendency to absorb an excessive amount of iron from food. Over time, iron accumulation in different organs causes cirrhosis, arthritis, heart muscle damage leading to heart failure, and testicular dysfunction causing loss of sex drive.
Treatment involves prevention of organ damage by removing iron from the body through bloodletting.
Interestingly, menstruation protects women from organ damage until after menopause. In Wilson' disease, the inherited abnormality is in the protein that handles copper. Over time, copper accumulates in the liver, eyes, and brain. Cirrhosis, tremor, psychiatric disturbances and other neurological difficulties occur if the condition is not treated early. Treatment involves oral medication to increase copper excretion in the urine.