Liver Cirrhosis Symptoms and Signs

Liver Cirrhosis symptoms and signs. Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Liver Cirrhosis, Liver Fibrosis, Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) and Liver Inflammation (Chronic Hepatitis) are fatal diseases.

There are 3 million patients diagnosed with Liver Cirrhosis, every year in United Satets. Liver Cirrhosis leads to chronic liver damage, from variety of causes, leading to liver scarring and liver failure.

Liver Cirrhosis is a hardening of the liver as a result of increase in the fibrous tissue and a degeneration of active liver cells. Liver Cirrhosis is caused by certain conditions of malnutrition.

There is considerable evidence indicating Liver Cirrhosis due to alcohol use called alcoholic liver cirrhosis. However, some special types of liver cirrhosis are caused by infectious diseases. For example, syphilitic cirrhosis is considered as a rare disease, caused by syphilis. Which leads to peculiar nodular condition of the organ called hepar lobatum.

Liver cirrhosis Symptoms and Signs

Cirrhosis of the liver is slow and gradual in its development. It is usually well advanced before its symptoms are noticeable enough to trigger alarm. Weakness and loss of weight may be early symptoms. Chronic disturbances of digestion usually develop. The liver may be either enlarged, normal or even small in size. If enlarged, it is usually a general enlargement, leaving the organ with a smooth surface. The digestive disturbances may begin with a poor appetite, but they are likely to go on to indigestion, pain in the upper right quarter of the abdomen and occasional vomiting of bloody material.

Liver cirrhosis Types

There are two general types of liver cirrhosis. In one, obstruction of the portal vein occurs, resulting in a collection of fluid in the abdomen and dropsy (swelling) of the lower limbs. This type is the more common and usually occurs in the middle-aged. In the other type, there has been a previous inflammation of the liver tissue due to which the small bile ducts are obstructed leading to the development of jaundice. This type usually common in younger people.

The liver tends to be enlarged and smooth, there is no collection of fluid in the abdomen, and the other symptoms are more mild than in cases caused by obstruction of the portal vein. Either type of cirrhosis runs a course of several years. Large veins are often seen over the abdomen, especially in the region of the navel and across the body near the diaphragm. There are also enlarged veins in the rectum (hemorrhoids) intestines, stomach, and the esophagus, though their presence may remain unknown because they cannot be seen.

Liver cirrhosis Symptoms

Symptoms of liver cirrhosis may vary from patient to patient but some commonly reported symptoms of liver cirrhosis are mentioned below

• Fatigue
• Bleeding easily
• Bruising easily
• Itchy skin
• Yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice)
• Fluid accumulation in  abdominal cavity (ascites)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Swelling in your legs
• Weight loss

Death from liver cirrhosis not infrequently happens as a result of a hemorrhage caused by the rupture of’ enlarged veins about the lower end of the esophagus. Cirrhosis of the liver used to be considered an incurable disease, but with modern methods of treatment,  life may be considerably prolonged in most cases and the progress of the condition may be permanently checked in many. This is particularly fortunate in view of the apparently growing incidence of the disease.

Chronic Liver Disease (CLD)

Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) refers to disease of the liver, lasted over 6 months. Chronic liver disease is marked by the gradual destruction of liver tissue over time. There are wide range of liver diseases that fall under this category of Chronic Liver Disease (CLD). These include Liver Inflammation (Chronic Hepatitis), Liver Cirrhosis, Liver Fibrosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Chronic Liver Disease treatment depends on the cause. While some conditions may be treated with medications, others require surgery or a transplant. Patient requires Liver transplant when the liver fails and there is no other alternative.