Cirrhosis: signs of liver damage

With cirrhosis, the tissues of the organ are damaged - leading to serious consequences for the entire organism. However, the first signs become noticeable when cirrhosis progresses. Find out more about irreversible liver damage here.

What is cirrhosis?

The liver performs various tasks in our bodies. It produces bile, which is necessary for the absorption of fats and vitamins from the intestine. It processes and stores nutrients, breaks down toxins, and participates in the immune system. When the liver is seriously diseased, it is cirrhosis, in which functioning liver tissue is destroyed and replaced by connective tissue. The liver scars, it loses its volume and its ability to dynamically remove toxins from the body.

Consequences of cirrhosis

The damage to the liver is irreversible and has serious effects on the entire organism. Toxins can no longer be broken down in the liver. Disturbances in metabolism, hormonal balance or blood clotting occur. Other consequences are brain disorders, memory disorders, psychological changes and hepatic coma.

Blood flow in the liver deteriorates because it can become congested. This in turn encourages the development of varicose veins, for example in the esophagus, in order to redirect blood elsewhere. Another complication of cirrhosis is fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, which can lead to life-threatening infection of the peritoneum and kidney failure. Cirrhosis also increases the risk of liver cancer.

Signs of liver cirrhosis

Symptoms usually only appear when cirrhosis progresses. Creeping tissue changes can only be noticed by non-specific signs. This includes:

exhaustion

Decrease in performance

Severe weight loss

Sweat

Later: pain and pressure in the upper abdomen. The liver puts pressure on surrounding tissue.

The following symptoms occur with advanced cirrhosis:

Skin color is pale grey

Thin skin

Star-shaped blood vessels on the face and upper body.

Red lips and smooth, dry tongue

Hardening and thickening of the palms of the hands

In women: There is no menstrual cycle or menstrual disorders

In men: hair loss on the abdomen (bald head), erectile dysfunction

Causes of cirrhosis

Cirrhosis occurs in about 50 percent of all cases as a result of excessive alcohol consumption, initially leading to fatty liver. This, in turn, increases the risk of cirrhosis. Hepatitis virus infection, which causes chronic inflammation, is also a common cause. Other causes can be metabolic diseases or autoimmune diseases of the system.