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What are the Symptoms of Cirrhosis of the Liver?

Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

The symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver vary, depending on how far the disease has progressed, but may include fatigue, jaundice, bruising, and even bleeding stomach ulcers. Cirrhosis of the liver is a progressive medical condition where the healthy tissue of the liver is transformed into scar tissue, causing the liver to function improperly. Blood is unable to flow to the liver because of the scar tissue, thereby preventing hormones, nutrients, drugs, and toxins from being processed.

At the onset of the disease, many people do not recognize the symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver. Eventually, they may simply feel tired or weak. Sometimes people will experience nausea or a lack of appetite during the early stages as well. Unfortunately, these vague signs can easily be overlooked or misdiagnosed.

Several types of liver disease, including cirrhosis.
Several types of liver disease, including cirrhosis.

As the disease worsens, symptoms usually become more severe. For example, jaundice, a yellowing of the eyes and skin, may occur because the liver cannot function properly to remove bilirubin from the bloodstream. Other people may notice that their nails may appear more club-like or may be white in color, instead of pink. Some people may experience fluid retention in the abdomen or legs, since the damaged liver cannot remove excess fluid from the body. They may also have a fever, blood in their stool, and orange or brown colored urine.

Symptoms of liver cirrhosis include fatigue, jaundice, bruising and bleeding stomach ulcers.
Symptoms of liver cirrhosis include fatigue, jaundice, bruising and bleeding stomach ulcers.

Other common symptoms of cirrhosis include frequent bruising and nosebleeds. These symptoms occur because the liver is responsible for making clotting proteins. When the liver is damaged through cirrhosis, it is unable to make clotting proteins. Without these proteins, blood cannot properly clot and symptoms such as bruising and nosebleeds are common.

Because the liver filters toxins and waste from the blood, if the organ fails to work properly a person can become seriously ill.
Because the liver filters toxins and waste from the blood, if the organ fails to work properly a person can become seriously ill.

If the disease is left untreated, the symptoms may become very serious. For example, untreated individuals may begin to vomit blood. This may be the result of stomach ulcers or from varicose veins in the esophagus that are leaking blood. If left untreated for long periods of time, the individual may suffer from hepatic encephalopathy. With hepatic encephalopathy, toxins which are usually removed by a healthy liver, travel to the brain where they may cause the brain to malfunction and may lead to a coma.

If the disease is left untreated, the symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver may lead to coma.
If the disease is left untreated, the symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver may lead to coma.

Once the symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver are recognized, a medical doctor will likely make the final diagnosis. He may do this through a physical examination of the liver and blood tests to determine if the liver is not functioning properly. An ultrasound or computerized tomography scan (CT scan) may be recommended as well. Once diagnosed, many people begin to take medication, make lifestyle changes, or even receive a liver transplant to treat the disease.

Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

literally45

I didn't know that yellow eyes and skin, or jaundice, is a sign of cirrhosis of the liver. I saw an actor in a film recently with eyes of a yellowish tint. I realize that jaundice can be caused by other things too, but liver damage is also a possibility.

Alcohol isn't the only thing that can damage the liver. Overuse of medications can cause it too. I once heard about a young girl who tried to commit suicide with pain relievers and developed liver failure. She didn't know that these drugs are manufactured in a way to prevent death, but can cause organ damage. She was lucky enough to have a successful liver transplant. It's difficult to find donors.

donasmrs

@fBoyle-- I'm not a doctor and cirrhosis is such a serious condition that no one should try to diagnose themselves. It's a good idea to know the symptoms and watch out for them. But the best and only way to clear doubts and take precautions is to see a doctor. This serious condition can be avoided by quitting alcohol or reducing it to a minimum. It's important to keep in mind that everyone's body functions differently and even less amounts of alcohol can cause liver damage in some people.

As far as I know, what most people refer to as a "beer belly" is actually fat around the belly. The swelling of the abdomen caused by cirrhosis is due to fluid retention caused by ascites. It's a completely different phenomenon. It's possible to confuse the two, so you need to talk to your doctor about it. A medical test will clear up whether it's fluid retention or fat.

fBoyle

I enjoy alcohol and have a couple of beers on most days. In the past year though, the fat around my belly has increased. It looks like I'm on my way to having a beer belly. The article mentioned fluid retention in the abdomen as a sign of cirrhosis. Does this mean that cirrhosis of the liver has started? I'm worried.

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    • Several types of liver disease, including cirrhosis.
      By: peterjunaidy
      Several types of liver disease, including cirrhosis.
    • Symptoms of liver cirrhosis include fatigue, jaundice, bruising and bleeding stomach ulcers.
      By: kaianni
      Symptoms of liver cirrhosis include fatigue, jaundice, bruising and bleeding stomach ulcers.
    • Because the liver filters toxins and waste from the blood, if the organ fails to work properly a person can become seriously ill.
      By: pixdesign123
      Because the liver filters toxins and waste from the blood, if the organ fails to work properly a person can become seriously ill.
    • If the disease is left untreated, the symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver may lead to coma.
      By: Claudio's Pics
      If the disease is left untreated, the symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver may lead to coma.
    • Nosebleeds are a common symptom of cirrhosis of the liver.
      By: Michael Schütze
      Nosebleeds are a common symptom of cirrhosis of the liver.
    • An abdominal ultrasound may help diagnose cirrhosis.
      By: nyul
      An abdominal ultrasound may help diagnose cirrhosis.