1. Recognize Common Symptoms
Educate yourself about the symptoms of cirrhosis in order to recognize whether you may be in the early stages of liver disease. A very common physical symptom of cirrhosis is jaundice, a yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes. Jaundice is the result of higher-than-normal bilirubin levels in your body, which can happen when your liver is damaged. If you have cirrhosis, you may also experience nausea and vomiting, and you may lose a lot of weight in a short period of time. You probably won't urinate very much, and will produce light-colored stools. People with liver disease often feel an overall weakness and fatigue. Problems with bleeding, called coagulopathy, can point to cirrhosis, and include nosebleeds, bleeding hemorrhoids, gums that bleed easily and bleeding of the small blood vessels that produces a spider-vein type of condition. Men with cirrhosis can become impotent, and both genders may experience a loss of sex drive. Mental symptoms, such as confusion and an inability to focus on tasks at hand, can also be signs of cirrhosis.
2. Identify Cirrhosis With a Physical Exam
Once your doctor has taken note of the symptoms you are experiencing, he will probably find more evidence of cirrhosis through a physical exam. Cirrhosis can cause your liver, spleen and abdomen to become swollen. He may detect excess fluid in your abdominal cavity, called ascites, as well as edema (swelling) in your hands and legs.
3. Diagnose Cirrhosis With Lab Tests
A variety of blood tests that measure bilirubin and liver enzyme levels can help diagnose cirrhosis. Your doctor may also test you for anemia if he suspects you have cirrhosis. Taking a biopsy of your liver will confirm whether you have liver disease. You will usually need to have the biopsy done in the hospital under sedation, in which case it's a good idea to take someone with you who can drive you home afterward. In addition to confirming cirrhosis, a liver biopsy can also diagnose hepatitis, tuberculosis and cancer.
