Symptoms of alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Long-term alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic liver disease, with alcoholic liver cirrhosis being one of its main manifestations. Initially, it presents with reduced liver function, symptoms such as loss of appetite, abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, aversion to oily foods, diarrhea, and nausea, which are indicative of hepatitis. Additionally, there may be darkening of the skin, menstrual irregularities, and even signs like liver palms and spider angiomas due to metabolic disorders. Furthermore, disruptions in carbohydrate metabolism can lead to nutritional excess, increasing lipid levels in the body and leading to fatty liver and hyperlipidemia. There can also be abnormal protein synthesis, resulting in ascites, pleural effusion, and other symptoms of liver dysfunction. Additionally, abnormalities in vitamin metabolism can cause rough skin and edema. Coagulation factors are often abnormal as well, leading to symptoms such as bleeding gums and nosebleeds. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly in these situations to restore normal health.

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What causes stomach pain in the early stages of cirrhosis?

Early stages of cirrhosis may present with stomach pain, likely due to erosion in the stomach caused by the cirrhosis. It is recommended to promptly complete a gastroscopy to rule out the presence of portal hypertensive gastropathy or esophagogastric varices, while also testing for Helicobacter pylori infection. If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment should be based on the underlying cause. Consider using proton pump inhibitors to suppress stomach acid secretion, or using antacids like aluminum magnesium carbonate to protect the stomach lining. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Is late-stage liver cirrhosis with liver failure easy to control?

In the late stages of cirrhosis, when the condition has progressed to liver failure, it becomes very difficult to manage. At this stage, due to liver failure, the first issue to arise is abnormal coagulation function, such as easy bleeding in patients. This will lead to severe hypoalbuminemia, causing swelling throughout the body. Additionally, bilirubin levels are very high, leading to various metabolic diseases, such as metabolic encephalopathy, which affects other organs as well. In the late stages of cirrhosis, there is also a large amount of ascites. At this time, portal hypertension is common, leading to complications such as gastric and esophageal varices rupture, bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy, making the condition very difficult to control. If the cirrhosis is a benign lesion, at this time, adjusting liver function through methods such as artificial livers or plasma exchange can improve the condition to a manageable extent. It is critical to act quickly to perform a liver transplant, as there are no other effective treatments besides transplant, and the condition is very difficult to control.

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Will early-stage cirrhosis cause lower back pain?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, there are generally no specific symptoms. Some patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and aversion to oily foods. Typically, symptoms do not include lower back pain. However, if lower back pain occurs, it is necessary to consider and rule out diseases that frequently cause this symptom. Firstly, conditions such as lumbar muscle strain; secondly, issues like lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spine diseases; thirdly, kidney-related diseases, such as kidney stones, etc. Therefore, it is essential to first determine the cause of the lower back pain, or from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, whether the pain is related to kidney deficiency? Then, a differential diagnosis can be made, followed by treatment. This approach will ensure more effective therapeutic outcomes.

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Will cirrhosis continue to progress if there are no symptoms?

Cirrhosis may not have symptoms, yet it can still progress. There are various causes of cirrhosis, such as viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, and fatty liver disease, among others. If the underlying causes are not removed, cirrhosis can continue to progress even without symptoms. For example, in chronic hepatitis B, if no effective antiviral treatment is administered, the patient may progress to decompensated cirrhosis in the absence of symptoms, which in severe cases, can lead to the development of liver cancer. Therefore, once cirrhosis is diagnosed, it is crucial to actively identify the cause and adopt different treatments according to the specific cause, such as abstaining from alcohol if the cirrhosis is alcohol-related.

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Is it serious if someone with cirrhosis doesn't have bowel movements?

Cirrhosis without bowel movements does not necessarily mean that the condition is very severe. Patients with cirrhosis who have no bowel movements might be experiencing poor digestion, leading to slow intestinal movements and subsequently constipation. However, constipation can potentially trigger hepatic encephalopathy, thus it requires proactive treatment. Oral lactulose can be used for bowel movement, or an enema with white vinegar to acidify the intestines can also be administered. Patients with cirrhosis who develop hepatic encephalopathy, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, or primary peritonitis are experiencing severe conditions and need to actively undergo corresponding treatment measures. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)