Itching

In cirrhosis of the liver, itching is a typical sign that toxins are accumulating in the body. When their concentration is greatly increased, they also accumulate in the skin. This becomes visible by the icterus (the so-called jaundice), in which the skin turns yellowish due to blood pigment that is not broken down. In addition, there is a pronounced itching, which is triggered by these toxic substances.

Joint pain with liver cirrhosis

Joint pain is also a consequence of cirrhosis of the liver. Joint pain is typically associated with autoimmune diseases of the liver. The body turns its immune cells against itself.

It destroys the liver, which can cause cirrhosis, and also attacks the joints. However, joint pain can also occur with non-autoimmune cirrhosis of the liver. They are usually the result of an accumulation of toxins that are deposited in the joints.

Back pain with liver cirrhosis

Back pain can occur in cirrhosis of the liver as a result of stretching of the liver capsule. At the beginning of cirrhosis, the organ enlarges, this can lead to capsule stretching and subsequently to capsule stretching pain that can radiate into the back. In later stages, massive ascites (the pronounced accumulation of water in the abdomen) can also cause back pain.

Bad breath with liver cirrhosis

Bad breath in cirrhosis of the liver typically smells sweetish and is also due to the reduced metabolic performance of the liver. As a result, various toxins accumulate, some of which are now excreted by breathing, causing bad breath.

Pain with liver cirrhosis

Pain does not necessarily occur in the context of cirrhosis of the liver. The liver cells themselves, which die in cirrhosis, have no pain-conducting nerve cells and therefore cannot trigger pain in the brain. Pain occurs primarily when the liver as a whole organ enlarges. Diffuse pain in the upper abdomen occurs. Other complications such as bleeding of the bypass circulation and ascites can also cause pain.