Cirrhosis

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Clubbing

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Liver cirrhosis, CT scan

Liver cirrhosis

• Ascites
• Swelling of the legs
• Vomiting blood
• Confusion
• Jaundice
• Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Nausea  and vomiting
• Impotence and loss of interest in sex
• Bleeding hemorrhoids

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• decreased yrine output
• Overall swelling
• Pale or clay colored stools
• Nosebleed or bleeding gums
• Gynecomastia (breast development in males)
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal indigestion
• Fevers

Symptoms may develop gradually, or there may be no symptoms.

A physical examination may reveal an enlarged liver or spleen, distended abdomen, yellow eyes or skin (jaundice), red spider-like blood vessels on the skin, excess breast tissue, small testicles in men, reddened palms, contracted fingers, or dilated abdominal wall veins.

Tests can reveal liver problems including:

• Anemia (detected on a CBC )
• Coagulation abnormalities
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Elevated bilirubin
• Serum albumin low
• Enlarged liver (seen with an abdominal x-ray)

A liver biopsy confirms cirrhosis.

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Cholesterol test
• Complement
• Alpha-fetoprotein
• Renin
• Serum magnesium - test

Review Date: 05/04/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.