Cirrhosis history and symptoms
|
Cirrhosis Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case studies |
|
Cirrhosis history and symptoms On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Cirrhosis history and symptoms |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Cirrhosis history and symptoms |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sudarshana Datta, MD [2]
Overview
Liver cirrhosis may present with non specific constitutional symptoms such as fever, anorexia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, menstrual irregularities and testicular atrophy. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis may develop complications and present with jaundice, increase in abdominal girth due to ascites, pruritus, hematochezia, melena and confusion due to hepatic encephalopathy. Symptoms may also vary depending upon the underlying cause of cirrhosis. A detailed history of alcohol use, blood transfusions, history of viral hepatitis and family history of liver disease must be taken in all patients.
History
Social history
- History of alcohol use:
- Amount
- Duration
- History of illicit drug use
- History of unprotected sexual intercourse
Past Medical history
- History of infections:[1]
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- History of autoimmune disorders:
- History of blood transfusions
Menstrual history
- History of menstrual irregularities
Family history
- Family history of liver disease:
Medication history
- History of use of any hepatotoxic drugs
Symptoms
- Initially, the symptoms of liver cirrhosis are very non-specific:[2][3]
- Right upper quadrant abdominal pain
- Fever
- Anorexia
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Menstrual irregularities
- Symptoms of hypogonadism:
- Impotence
- Infertility
- Testicular atrophy
- Loss of libido
- Easy bruisability
- Decompensated cirrhosis may present with[4]
- Jaundice
- Increase in abdominal girth due to ascites
- Pruritus
- Signs of upper gastrointestinal bleeding:
- Symptoms due to hepatic encephalopathy:
- Altered mental status
- Confusion
- Sleep disturbances
- Muscle cramps due to reduction in effective circulating plasma volume
- Lower extremity edema
- Symptoms may vary depending on the underlying cause of cirrhosis:
- Primary biliary cirrhosis presents with the following symptoms:
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis may present with the following in addition to the above symptoms of cirrhosis:
- Cardiac cirrhosis presents with symptoms of congestive cardiac failure along with a sensation of fullness and tenderness in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
- Features of hemochromatosis:
- Arthritis
- Abdominal pain
- Severe fatigue
- Heart failure symptoms
- Bronze-colored skin
References
- ↑ Flores YN, Lang CM, Salmerón J, Bastani R (2012). "Risk factors for liver disease and associated knowledge and practices among Mexican adults in the US and Mexico". J Community Health. 37 (2): 403–11. doi:10.1007/s10900-011-9457-4. PMID 21877109.
- ↑ Williams EJ, Iredale JP (1998). "Liver cirrhosis". Postgrad Med J. 74 (870): 193–202. PMC 2360862. PMID 9683971.
- ↑ Schuppan D, Afdhal NH (2008). "Liver cirrhosis". Lancet. 371 (9615): 838–51. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60383-9. PMC 2271178. PMID 18328931.
- ↑ Bloom S, Kemp W, Lubel J (2015). "Portal hypertension: pathophysiology, diagnosis and management". Intern Med J. 45 (1): 16–26. doi:10.1111/imj.12590. PMID 25230084.