| Aug 02 2008 |
SYMPTOMS OF CIRRHOSIS
Saturday, June 21st, 2008, 3:01 pm
Signs and symptoms of cirrhosis
Cirrhosis takes years to develop. In the early stages of cirrhosis, many people experience no symptoms. However, as the disease progresses and liver function deteriorates, symptoms may develop. The most common signs and symptoms include:
Loss of appetiteWeight lossNauseaWeaknessFatigue or exhaustion
Evidence of cirrhosis may not develop until a patient experiences complications of the disease. When this happens, signs and symptoms that may be present include:
Spider-like veins (spider angiomas) that develop under the skin
Abdominal pain from an enlarged liver
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Dark, cola-colored urine
Fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites)
Swelling of the legs and feet (edema)
Vomiting of blood
Increased sensitivity to drugs
Itching of the hands and feet that spreads to other parts of the body
Mental confusion, such as forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating, or brain damage (encephalopathy)
Abnormal nerve function (peripheral neuropathy)
(gynecomastia)
Gallstones
Excessive or prolonged bleeding
Bruising easily
Esophageal vein bleeding
