The signs and symptoms of cirrhosis can vary depending on the stage of the disease and the underlying cause.
Early symptoms of cirrhosis may include
- Fatigue: Tiredness caused by the body’s inability to produce enough energy.
- Loss of appetite: caused by the build-up of toxins in the body
- Abdominal pain: Pain caused by the build-up of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) or the enlargement of the liver.
- Nausea or vomiting: caused by the build-up of toxins in the body
- Weight loss: caused by the decreased ability to produce protein
As liver function gets worse, you may have other symptoms, including:
- Bruising or bleeding easily: Due to the decreased ability to produce clotting factors.
- Jaundice: A yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by a build-up of bilirubin, a substance formed by the breakdown of red blood cells.
- Vomiting blood (hematemesis): It is a result of rupture of blood vessels in the esophagus or stomach, which can occur as a result of the increased pressure in the portal vein and the increased blood flow through the dilated blood vessels in the esophagus and stomach.
- Spider angiomas: small red spider-shaped marks on the skin caused by enlarged blood vessels.
- Itchy skin: caused by a build-up of bile in the skin
- Confusion or memory loss: caused by the build-up of toxins in the brain (hepatic encephalopathy)
- Swelling of the legs and ankles: caused by the build-up of fluid in the legs (edema)
- Dark, tea-colored urine: caused by the build-up of bilirubin in the urine
- Pale-colored stools: caused by the build-up of bilirubin in the stools
- loss of sex drive (libido): It is believed to be related to the changes that occur in the body as a result of cirrhosis.
It’s worth noting that, Some people with cirrhosis may not have any symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but as the disease progresses, symptoms may become more severe. Additionally, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of cirrhosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.