Will cirrhosis continue to progress if there are no symptoms?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on April 28, 2025
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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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What are the complications of late-stage liver cirrhosis?

Late-stage cirrhosis can lead to many complications, such as bleeding from esophageal and gastric varices, which is one of the more common and severe complications of cirrhosis. Other complications include spontaneous peritonitis, liver cancer, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, portal vein thrombosis, and symptoms like ascites, palmar erythema, and spider angiomas. Additionally, there may be symptoms such as dark skin or hyperpigmentation and jaundice. Once cirrhosis is diagnosed, timely intervention and treatment are necessary to delay the progression of the disease.

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How to treat splenomegaly and liver cirrhosis?

Once liver cirrhosis is detected, accompanied by an enlarged spleen and hyperactive spleen function, this condition can be addressed through interventional methods to resolve issues of spleen enlargement and hyperfunction. This reduces the destruction of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The interventional approach primarily involves sterile necrosis and absorption of the spleen, thus resolving spleen issues. As for treating liver cirrhosis, it is primarily important to understand the causes of the cirrhosis. If the cirrhosis is caused by a virus, antiviral treatment is needed. There are corresponding antiviral medications for cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and C. If the cirrhosis is caused by alcohol, it is essential to abstain from alcohol as part of the treatment. In addition, medications that combat liver cirrhosis should be used.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
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Is alcoholic cirrhosis ascites serious?

Once ascites caused by alcoholic liver cirrhosis is discovered, it indicates that the liver has reached the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, which is quite severe. Decompensated cirrhosis itself has a relatively low five-year and ten-year survival rate. Moreover, once the liver enters the decompensated stage, it is also prone to corresponding complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, infections, etc. Therefore, when alcoholic liver cirrhosis presents with ascites, it is crucial to seek treatment at a formal hospital. The condition is quite serious and requires active treatment.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Do you need a liver transplant in the early stages of cirrhosis?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, liver transplant is not necessary. Early-stage cirrhosis requires timely and comprehensive auxiliary examinations to determine the cause of the cirrhosis. This includes determining whether it is due to viral hepatitis, cholestatic hepatitis, or drug-induced hepatitis, among others. Once a patient exhibits early signs of cirrhosis, it is crucial to treat the specific cause and symptoms actively, and undertake proactive liver protection treatments. It is also essential to prevent complications associated with cirrhosis, such as esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding, primary liver cancer, hepatorenal syndrome, liver disease, and ascites.

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Written by Si Li Li
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What are the gastrointestinal symptoms of cirrhosis?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, many patients do not exhibit any symptoms, but some may experience fatigue, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and indigestion. Some patients might also suffer from portal hypertensive gastropathy due to cirrhosis, leading to symptoms such as pain and bloating in the upper abdomen, acid reflux, and belching. If the disease progresses to the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, portal hypertension can cause varices in the esophagus and stomach, which may lead to severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding if hard food is consumed. Symptoms can include vomiting dark red blood or fresh blood, dizziness, fatigue, and cold sweats. In such cases, it is advised to seek immediate medical attention for emergency treatment.