Liver cirrhosis, according to MedlinePlus, is a disease in which the normal tissue of the liver is replaced by scar tissue and ceases to function normally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 112,000 people in the United States were hospitalized due to complications from liver cirrhosis in 2005. Furthermore, liver cirrhosis was the principal cause of death for 24,555 people in 2006. There are multiple symptoms associated with liver cirrhosis.
Nonspecific Symptoms
There are often no signs or symptoms of liver cirrhosis for years, until the scarring of the liver is very advanced. The Merck Manual reports that the first signs of liver cirrhosis may be nonspecific. These nonspecific symptoms include general fatigue, decreased appetite and unintentional weight loss.
Specific Symptoms
Following or concurrent with nonspecific symptoms, other more specific and/or severe symptoms develop. These symptoms, described by MedlinePlus, include sexual side effects, such as impotence, loss of interest in sex and development of breasts in men. There may be abdominal indigestion and/or pain, and stool may be abnormally pale and "clay-colored." Cirrhosis may also cause nausea and vomiting. One very noticeable symptom is a changing of skin tone, resulting in skin that is yellow in color. Other effects on the skin include visible small red blood vessels and red palms. The health-care provider may also find low levels of a common blood protein called albumin, and elevated liver enzymes.
Symptoms Uncovered by Tests
Tests done by a health-care provider may uncover other symptoms of liver cirrhosis, according to MedlinePlus. Cirrhosis may cause anemia, which MedLinePlus describes as a condition where there are not enough healthy red blood cells in the body. The lack of healthy blood cells results in the tissues of the body not receiving an adequate amount of oxygen.
Liver Symptoms
The Merck Manual says that the liver itself may feel normal when doctors feel the abdomen. However, if the liver has altered in any way, it may be small and difficult to examine, or larger than normal. Even though cirrhosis may cause nodules on the liver, these may be difficult to feel through external exam.
