Liver disease doesnt always cause noticeable signs and symptoms. However, if signs and symptoms of liver disease do occur, they may include:
- Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
- Itchy skin
- Dark urine color
- Pale stool color
- Chronic fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Tendency to bruise easily
Early symptoms of liver disease tend to be vague and may include:
- Abdominal pain (stomach ache)
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Feeling sick
- Diarrhea
- Feeling generally unwell
As liver disease advances, more obvious and serious symptoms can develop, such as:
- Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet caused by a buildup of fluid (edema)
- Swelling in the abdomen caused by a buildup of fluid known as ascites
- A high temperature and shivering attacks
- Very itchy skin
- Hair loss
- Unusually curved fingertips and nails (clubbed fingers)
- Blotchy red palms
- Significant weight loss
- Weakness and muscle wasting
- Confusion and memory problems, trouble sleeping (insomnia), and changes in your personality caused by a buildup of toxins in the brain
- Passing black, tarry poo and vomiting blood as a result of internal bleeding
- A tendency to bleed and bruise more easily, such as frequent nosebleeds and bleeding gums
- Increased sensitivity to alcohol and drugs because the liver cannot process them
It is important to note that symptoms of cirrhosis depend on how advanced it is, and you might not have symptoms at all early on, or you might only have vague symptoms that resemble many other conditions. Symptoms of cirrhosis become more recognizable as your liver function declines.
