Liver Cirrhosis is a serious liver disease in which the healthy tissues of your liver are damaged and then gradually form scar tissue. This scarring impairs liver function and can disrupt essential cellular processes throughout the body, including digestion, metabolism, toxin elimination, and blood coagulation. Most people don’t feel the early stages of liver cirrhosis since it develops slowly. Still, knowing the warning signs can help you seek medical care quickly and reduce damage.
In this blog, we will discuss 7 warning signs of liver cirrhosis for you to understand. If you or someone close to you have these symptoms, take immediate action and see a doctor.
1. Extreme Fatigue and Weakness
Constant fatigue is one of the first symptoms of liver cirrhosis. You may feel fatigued, even after resting or getting plenty of sleep. This occurs because an unhealthy liver loses its ability to store and release energy. Most individuals believe tiredness is caused by stress or a heavy workload, which may be the case. Still, if long-term fatigue, also known as exhaustion, develops, it could indicate liver issues.
If you feel your energy is being drained every single day and there is no visible reason, don’t wait any longer to check your liver.
2. Yellowing of Eyes and Skin (Jaundice)
Jaundice is among the most typical and visible indicators of liver cirrhosis. Your eyes or skin may begin to look yellow. The reason is that the liver can’t remove a yellow pigment produced when old red blood cells break down, called bilirubin.
Jaundice occurs when the blood carries excess bilirubin. Jaundice can appear to be more prominent in late-stage liver disease. If you notice the whites of your eyes or your skin yellowing, seek medical care immediately.
3. Swelling in Legs, Ankles, and Abdomen
Liver cirrhosis disrupts the body’s ability to handle fluids. Therefore, a person may suffer from edema in various zones, including the following:
- Legs and ankles;
- Feet;
- Abdomen
The reason for the phenomenon is the lack of proteins in a malfunctioning liver to maintain fluid distribution.
Consequently, the body begins to retain excessive amounts of water and salt, resulting in puffiness or swelling. Prolonged edema that is hard to eliminate is an early indicator of your liver’s malfunction.
4. Easy Bruising and Bleeding
The liver is an organ that produces clotting factors and other substances. The liver is unable to produce these clotting factors well when it becomes damaged. As a result, you might:
- Get bruises easily
- Bleed longer than normal from small cuts
- Experience frequent nosebleeds
- Notice bleeding gums
Easy bruising can be dismissed by many, but the frequent occurrence of unsolicited or unexplained bruises should never go unnoticed. It can be a harbinger that the liver is not working as it should.
5. Reduced Appetite and Unexplained Weight Loss
Liver cirrhosis frequently causes loss of appetite, so you may not feel hungry even though it has been a long time since your last meal. The loss of time causes unexplained weight gain.
The liver helps digestion by producing bile, which helps break down fats. The liver is damaged, making digestion difficult and nutrient absorption in the body inefficient. This results in weight loss and, on occasion, muscle weakness.
If you are losing weight without making any effort to do so, or if you are full after eating a very small amount of food, no matter what kind of foods they are, how carbohydrates are included in those foods might affect the glucose that follows in your blood or anything else. — It is important to consult a doctor.
6. Confusion and Memory Problems
The brain can also be impacted by liver cirrhosis. When the liver fails to detoxify effectively, toxins enter the blood and travel to the brain. This is typified by hepatic encephalopathy.
Some signs include:
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- Mood changes
- Trouble completing simple tasks
In the most severe cases, it can even spark personality changes or trouble staying awake. If a person is experiencing these symptoms alongside more general signs of liver trouble, they should seek medical help immediately.
7. Changes in Urine and Stool Color
The color of your urine and stool can be very revealing of liver health. The most frequent liver cirrhosis pattern is characterized by:
- Dark yellow or brown urine
- Pale, clay-colored, or grey stool
- Fatty or foul-smelling stool from decreased fat breakdown
These changes occur because the liver can’t process bile properly. If you are regularly noticing weird-colored pee or poop, it might also be a sign of severe liver damage.
Why Early Detection Matters
The liver never completely recovers from cirrhosis. With early intervention, though, damage can be lessened, complications can be addressed, and overall quality of life can be improved. Prompt diagnosis can stave off problems like liver failure, infections, internal bleeding, and kidney issues.
To gain further insight into the disease, physicians might order blood tests, ultrasound imaging, and/or liver biopsies. Blood tests, imaging, and/or liver biopsies. Treatment usually consists of lifestyle changes, medication, and active monitoring. In more serious cases, patients must undergo a liver transplant.
Conclusion
Illnesses like liver cirrhosis are serious, but catching the symptoms early can make a big difference. Be aware of symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, swelling, easy bleeding and bruising, loss of appetite, confusion, and changes in urine or stool color. If you experience these signs, getting medical care when needed can help keep you healthy and prevent further liver damage.
At Swadha Hospital, patients are treated by expert doctors for all liver diseases, backed by cutting-edge diagnostic facilities and trained professionals. The hospital offers accurate tests, early diagnosis, and personalized treatment for those with liver cirrhosis. With its patient-friendly approach and latest medical infrastructure, Swadha Hospital provides safe and reliable healthcare services to all its patients. With Swadha Hospital, you get immediate help and professional advice, along with support for treating your liver-related issues.