Cirrhosis often has no symptoms, or symptoms so subtle they are attributed to other causes. One of the most common symptoms of liver disease, whether it be hepatitis, cirrhosis, or other is fatigue. But it's hard to determine whether you're fatigued because you live a busy life, or something is wrong, so often these symptoms go unchecked until other more serious symptoms occur.
Basically, there are two types of cirrhosis: compensation and decompensation. When the liver is cirrhotic with compensation, it is severely damaged, but it is still performing it's necessary functions but not efficiently. When it is decompensating, then there are other symptoms present because the liver is not able to perform even the most basic functions. The most common signs of decompensation may include ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity- needs to be drained in a hospital procedure), variceal bleeding (vomiting blood), hepatic encephalopathy (brain fog/ confusion), bacterial infection, and liver cancer (5%).
I have known many people who were diagnosed with cirrhosis, but who had no symptoms until they had a routine physical and their bloodwork was way out of whack, or they ended up in a hospital due to a sudden problem like an esophageal bleed, or mental confusion from hepatic encephalopathy.
Liver disease affects everyone differently; if 5 people have cirrhosis, they may have 5 different symptoms or no symptoms at all.
I hope this has helped you. Best wishes.
2007-01-08 14:24:00
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answer #1
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answered by cindy1323 6
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What Are the Symptoms of Cirrhosis?
The symptoms of cirrhosis vary with the stage of the illness. In the beginning stages, there may not be any symptoms. As the disease worsens, symptoms may include:
Loss of appetite.
Lack of energy (fatigue) which may be debilitating.
Weight loss or sudden weight gain.
Bruises.
Yellowing of skin or the whites of eyes (jaundice).
Itchy skin.
Fluid retention (edema) and swelling in the ankles, legs and abdomen (often an early sign).
A brownish or orange tint to the urine.
Light colored stools.
Confusion, disorientation, personality changes.
Blood in the stool.
Fever.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/
2007-01-08 13:46:09
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answer #2
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answered by greβ 6
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Be cautious! The best situation that has been proven by way of study to be helped by way of option therapies is Milk thistle for alcoholic cirrhosis. You desire a professional and study confirmed healing or probably a transplant comparison if you are liver is decompensating. Good good fortune.
2016-09-03 18:38:17
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answer #3
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answered by miyasato 4
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