What are the main symptoms or signs of Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver explained?

Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.

When should you see a doctor for Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver explained?

See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.

Digestive Health

Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver explained

Damage that is slow, silent, then sudden

Dr. Marc Delaunay

Gastroenterologist

6 min read

Medical illustration of Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver explained

In simple terms

The causes that still dominate, the complications to watch, and what can be reversed.

What it is, in plain words

Cirrhosis is the end result of years of liver injury. Repeated inflammation replaces working liver cells with scar tissue, which both reduces liver function and blocks blood flowing through the organ. That back-pressure, called portal hypertension, causes most of the visible complications.

Signs to look out for

No symptoms at all for years, the compensated stage
Fatigue, poor appetite and weight loss
Yellow eyes and skin, itching, easy bruising
Swollen abdomen from fluid, and swollen legs
Confusion, drowsiness and reversed sleep pattern from toxins reaching the brain

Why it happens

The leading causes are chronic alcohol use, fatty liver disease linked to obesity and diabetes, and chronic hepatitis B or C. Less common ones include autoimmune hepatitis, haemochromatosis, Wilson disease and bile duct diseases.

How doctors confirm it

Blood tests show falling albumin and platelets and rising bilirubin and INR. Elastography measures liver stiffness without a needle. Ultrasound, and sometimes biopsy, confirm the picture. Endoscopy looks for varices in the gullet, and six-monthly ultrasound screens for liver cancer.

Treatments and solutions

Removing the cause: complete alcohol abstinence, antiviral cure of hepatitis C, suppression of hepatitis B, weight loss and diabetes control
Beta-blockers or banding to prevent bleeding from oesophageal varices
Salt restriction and diuretics for fluid retention, with drainage for tense ascites
Lactulose and rifaximin to prevent confusion
Liver transplantation, which is the definitive treatment for decompensated disease

Living with it day to day

Nutrition is underestimated: people with cirrhosis need plenty of protein and a late-evening snack. Avoid raw shellfish, be careful with paracetamol dose, and avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers entirely.

When to seek medical help

Go to hospital for vomiting blood or black stools, increasing confusion, fever with abdominal pain, or rapidly swelling abdomen.

This article explains general health information in simple language. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.

The words explained

Medical terms used above, in everyday language.

Chronic: A problem that lasts a long time, usually more than three months, and often comes back.
Inflammation: The body's reaction to injury or irritation: redness, swelling, heat or pain.
Symptom: A sign you can feel or see that something is wrong, like pain, tiredness or a rash.
Blood pressure: The force of blood pushing against your artery walls. Too high, over years, damages the heart and vessels.
Prevention: Steps taken before a problem starts, to make it less likely.
Anti-inflammatory: A medicine or food that calms swelling and pain.

When should you see a doctor?

Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
You already take medication and want to change anything about it.

This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.

Frequently asked questions

What is Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver explained?: The causes that still dominate, the complications to watch, and what can be reversed.
What are the main symptoms or signs of Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver explained?: Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.
When should you see a doctor for Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver explained?: See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.

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