Why is the liver enlarged in the early stages of cirrhosis?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 18, 2025
00:00
00:00

In the early stages of cirrhosis, it is generally characterized by an enlarged liver and spleen. If it progresses to the middle and late stages, reaching the decompensated phase, the liver will significantly decrease in size, while the spleen will continue to enlarge. In the early stages of cirrhosis, timely treatment is essential. Identifying the cause of cirrhosis and then actively treating it is crucial to prevent the condition from worsening or causing complications. If early-stage cirrhosis is not treated promptly and progresses, the decompensated stage of cirrhosis may lead to complications such as ascites, lower limb edema, severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding, jaundice, and may even progress to liver cancer. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are very important.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
52sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
41sec home-news-image

Can alcoholic cirrhosis be contagious?

Cirrhosis caused by hepatitis formed by alcohol is not contagious in clinical settings. Contagious cirrhosis generally refers to viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B, C, and E, which are infectious. Alcoholic cirrhosis, primarily caused by drinking, is not caused by viruses; hence, alcohol does not facilitate transmission between people. The common transmission modes involve fecal-oral routes, for instance, through blood and bodily fluids in hepatitis A and B. In contrast, alcoholic liver disease is relatively safe, so there is no need to worry about it being contagious.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
58sec home-news-image

Why is the liver enlarged in the early stages of cirrhosis?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, it is generally characterized by an enlarged liver and spleen. If it progresses to the middle and late stages, reaching the decompensated phase, the liver will significantly decrease in size, while the spleen will continue to enlarge. In the early stages of cirrhosis, timely treatment is essential. Identifying the cause of cirrhosis and then actively treating it is crucial to prevent the condition from worsening or causing complications. If early-stage cirrhosis is not treated promptly and progresses, the decompensated stage of cirrhosis may lead to complications such as ascites, lower limb edema, severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding, jaundice, and may even progress to liver cancer. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are very important.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
44sec home-news-image

In the early stages of cirrhosis, is there abdominal bloating and stomach pain?

Early-stage cirrhosis generally does not result in abdominal distension or stomach pain, and individuals in the early stages of liver cirrhosis might not exhibit any discomfort symptoms. However, if liver function reaches an advanced stage, complications like ascites associated with cirrhosis might occur, leading to abdominal distension. There might also be the occurrence of conditions like portal vein thrombosis, which can cause stomach pain, and possibly primary peritonitis, which can induce abdominal pain in patients. It is necessary to promptly identify the cause and adopt appropriate treatment measures. For example, if the stomach pain is caused by primary peritonitis, active anti-infection treatments should be applied.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
48sec home-news-image

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.)