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 called albumin. When the blood level of albumin decreases, fluid retention occurs. • Jaundice • When the liver’s production of bile is compromised, bile can back up into the blood, causing the skin and eyes to turn yellow and the urine to become dark. • Gallstones • The abnormal production of bile causes gallstones to develop. • Blood Clotting Difficulties • The liver makes certain proteins that help the blood clot. Whe
