Liver cirrhosis. Sectioned human liver showing cirrhosis tissue damage due to excessive alcohol consumption. In cirrhosis the liver typically becomes knobbly in appearance, as seen here, with a characteristic tawny (light brown to orange) colour. The scale reference is in centimetres. Excessive alcohol consumption causes death or injury to liver cells, and the liver responds by producing fibrous scar tissue between nodules of regenerating cells. Mild jaundice, oedema, blood vomiting, mental confusion are symptoms. Cirrhosis can be slowed by abstinence from alcohol; tissue damage is usually permanent. Chronic viral hepatitis is one other cause of cirrhosis.