Cirrhosis
Overview
Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is severely damaged. It can be life-threatening, but treatments and lifestyle changes can help stop it getting worse.
Symptoms
Many people who have cirrhosis do not have symptoms, especially early on. Early symptoms of cirrhosis may include: feeling tired or unwell all the timeloss of appetite or losing weight without tryingfeeling or being sicktummy painvisible blood vessels on the skinblotchy red palms of the hands – the redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin As cirrhosis gets worse, you may have other symptoms including: bleeding or bruising easilyitchy skinchanges to your fingers, such as them getting wider and curved (clubbed), or white nailsyellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) – yellowing of the skin may be harder to see on brown or black skinswollen tummy, legs, ankles or feettrembling handsslurred speechfeeling confused or difficulty concentratingvomiting bloodvery dark or black poo Men may also have bigger breasts than usual (gynaecomastia) or their testicles may get smaller.
Treatment
Cirrhosis cannot be cured, but there are treatments that can help slow it down or stop it getting worse. This usually involves treating the cause, for example, antiviral medicines if it's caused by hepatitis B or C. You usually also have treatment to help prevent and treat complications of cirrhosis. This may include: laxative medicineto help remove toxins from your bodymedicines such asbeta blockersto reduce bleedingmedicine to make you pee more and help reduce swellingantibioticsto help treat or prevent infections and treat internal bleedingtreatment for weakened bonesa liver transplant, if your cirrhosis is very severe It's also strongly recommended to make healthy lifestyle changes, including to stop drinking alcohol. You'll be supported by different healthcare professionals. This may include a liver specialist (hepatologist), digestive system specialist (gastroenterologist), nutrition specialists (nutritionist or dietician), and alcohol support services.