Symptoms And Signs Of Cirrhosis Of The Liver

Cirrhosis Symptoms Are Often Silent

Cirrhosis of the liver symptoms are often "silent." In other words, you don't have any cirrhosis symptoms until a significant amount of liver damage has already been done.

When cirrhosis of the liver symptoms do appear, it can still be difficult to make a quick diagnosis because they resemble a number of other medical conditions. You should see a doctor for an evaluation if you begin to experience the following symptoms.

Bleeding and bruising - A damaged liver has an effect on many different bodily processes, including the circulatory systems. When the circulatory system isn't functioning as it should, bleeding and bruising occurs more easily.

Fatigue - You'll find yourself getting tired easily, with little energy or motivation.

Fluid accumulation in your abdomen - One of the major functions of the liver is to eliminate wastes and fluids. A damaged liver won't perform this function as efficiently as it should, and fluids and chemicals begin to build up. See our related article on ascites, which is a build up of fluid in the abdominal area.

Infections - These will happen more often because your immune system will have trouble fighting them off.

Loss of appetite - Your digestive processes aren't working as they should because your liver is damaged. You feel hungry less often, and eat less during meals. Cirrhosis often makes it harder for your body to process the food you eat.

Nausea - A malfunctioning liver doesn't process chemical wastes and toxins as it should, which can lead to a feeling of nauseousness.

Swelling in your legs - As noted above, fluids and toxins build up in your body. They often accumulate in the legs and feet

Weight loss - When your liver isn't functioning properly, it can have a significant impact on digestive and metabolic processes. Weight loss is possible as a result.

It's best to detect cirrhosis in the early stages by having a regular physical. This should be done on a yearly basis or even more often as you grow older. Your doctor may suggest the following tests - before any symptoms appear - to determine if you're developing cirrhosis.

Tests and procedures used to diagnose cirrhosis include:

Blood tests - These would typically include a complete blood count, bilirubin test and a number of other specific tests which might not only determine if you have cirrhosis, but what's causing it.

Liver biopsy - This is a laboratory analysis of a sample of liver tissue. Usually, a liver biopsy is done using a needle guided by ultrasound imaging.

Imaging procedures such as computerized tomography (CT), ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be helpful.

Liver function tests can tell you a lot about whether or not your liver is in danger.

It's important to have your liver tested as soon as cirrhosis symptoms appear. Cirrhosis can lead to a number of extremely serious health challenges, including

• a condition called hepatic encephalopathy, caused by growing levels of toxins in the blood. Hepatic encephalopathy can cause confusion and difficulty concentrating and can eventually lead to unresponsiveness or coma.
• portal hypertension, which is increasing pressure in the main vein bringing blood to the liver. This condition can cause smaller veins in the liver to burst, causing dangerous internal bleeding.
• an elevated risk of liver cancer.

Even if you have none of the cirrhosis symptoms listed above, you should still have your liver checked during regular physicals. Cirrhosis can be slowed if it is detected early. But once extensive liver damage has occurred, your options are more limited. Once your liver has failed, the only way to stay alive is through a liver transplant.

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