The typical symptoms of liver cirrhosis
The symptoms of liver cirrhosis are as varied as the tasks of the liver. In general it can be said that 2 main functions of the liver are affected by cirrhosis. On the one hand, the liver‘s ability to synthesize and on the other hand, its metabolism and detoxification functions.
The so-called leading symptom of severe liver diseases, especially cirrhosis of the liver, is jaundice. Jaundice occurs when there is a backlog of bile in the constricted bile ducts, which is then deposited in the skin via the blood vessels. This causes the skin and especially the eyes to turn yellowish.
This congestion can also be caused by gallstones. As mentioned above, the liver’s ability to synthesize is significantly impaired by cirrhosis of the liver. This means that the blood protein albumin in particular, and the coagulation factors are no longer produced sufficiently.
As a result, the reduced albumin reduces the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, which in turn leaks into the subcutaneous tissue. This leads to the classic phenomenon of ascites (abdominal fluid). In addition, coagulation disorders occur, which greatly increase the tendency to bleed.
The number of platelets also decreases significantly, increasing the tendency to bleed. Initially, cirrhosis of the liver can manifest itself through symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, poor performance and impotence. Further symptoms are abdominal baldness, varnished tongue, severe redness of the palms of the hands (palmarerythema), caput medusae (varices of the abdominal wall) and hepatic encephalopathy.
Hepatic encephalopathy is the main cause of a defective detoxification function. The liver cannot eliminate the toxins produced. These toxins can then enter the brain and cause considerable damage.
The reduced detoxification function also means that drugs are broken down more slowly and therefore have a longer effect. This point must be taken into account when treating with medication. The diagnosis of liver cirrhosis is initially made on the basis of the patient’s medical history and clinical examination.
Here the doctor would then notice certain symptoms that would indicate cirrhosis as a suspected diagnosis. Imaging and laboratory medical examinations are then initiated to confirm the suspected diagnosis. Sonography is one of the most important, cheapest and above all fastest imaging procedures.
Here not only the size of the liver can be assessed, but also the tissue structure and the liver vessels. In addition, the involvement of other abdominal organs, such as the spleen, can also be assessed. In cases of pronounced liver cirrhosis, the spleen is often enlarged.
A computer tomogram (CT) can also confirm the diagnosis with high precision. In laboratory medicine, the extent of liver cirrhosis can be clearly shown by means of specific liver enzymes. These are greatly increased in necrotic changes of the liver.
The most important liver enzymes include ALT (GOT), AST(GPT) and gamma GT. Depending on the pattern of elevation, it is possible to differentiate which type of liver disease is involved. The most direct examination method is the sonographically guided liver biopsy.
Here the physician can assess directly under the microscope to what extent the liver tissue has changed or how far the liver cirrhosis has progressed. More importantly, it is also important to assess whether liver cancer precursors have developed from cirrhosis. Further information can be found under:
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Liver cirrhosis therapy
