What is liver cirrhosis?
Liver cirrhosis is a term that refers to a group of chronic diseases of the liver in which normal liver cells are damaged and replaced by scar tissue. When scar tissue develops in the liver, the amount of normal liver tissue decreases and the liver is unable to function normally. Liver cirrhosis is a serious condition. The liver is a very important part of the digestive system. What Are the Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis? Liver cirrhosis does not develop overnight. It takes several years to develop. While liver cirrhosis is developing, there are usually no symptoms. Symptoms usually appear when liver cirrhosis is fully developed. The symptoms will depend on how severe liver cirrhosis is. The most common symptoms of liver cirrhosis are: • Weakness • Loss of appetite • Weight loss • Dark skin color • Intense itching • Confusion • Nose bleeds • Breast enlargement in men • Fluid retention in the legs and abdomen • Fluid retention occurs because the liver decreases its production of a protein
