When the liver is damaged by cirrhosis it can’t generally be undone. However, if cirrhosis is diagnosed early on and it is treated, there is a chance that further damage can be prevented. This is why it’s essential that you know how to spot the symptoms of cirrhosis and call our GP service in Costa del Sol for cirrhosis before the condition becomes more serious.
What is Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is a late stage of fibrosis of the liver. This scarring is caused by chronic alcoholism and hepatitis along with other conditions. When the liver becomes injured, regardless of the cause it makes an attempt to repair itself. When this occurs the scar tissue begins to form. The more this condition progresses, the more scar tissue is formed. This makes it hard for the liver to function properly. This is known as decompensated cirrhosis.
Symptoms of Cirrhosis
Unfortunately, there are often very few symptoms or signs of cirrhosis until there is extensive damage to the liver. When there are symptoms they can include:
- Blood vessels that look spider-like and appear on the skin
- Breast enlargement in men
- Bruising easily
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Fluid building up in the abdomen (also known as ascites)
- Itchy skin
- Jaundice in the eyes and skin
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of periods or absent periods that aren’t due to the menopause
- Loss of sex drive in men
- Nausea
- Oedema (swelling) in the ankles, legs or feet
- Red palms
- Slurred speech
- Testicular atrophy
- Weight loss
Call our GP service in Costa del Sol for cirrhosis if you experience the symptoms above.
How to avoid Cirrhosis
If you want to avoid getting cirrhosis you should:
- Be vaccinated against Hepatitis B
- Eat a well-balanced diet that is low in fat
- Have regular health checks to control hypertension, high cholesterol, and avoid obesity
- Refrain from having unprotected sex with a lot of different partners
- Watch your alcohol intake. Try to have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day
When to call our GP service in Costa del Sol for Cirrhosis
Call our GP service in Costa del Sol for Cirrhosis if you have or are:
- Bleeding more easily
- Blood in your stool
- Blood in your vomit
- Black or tarry stool
- Breathing difficulties
- Bruising more easily
- Confusion
- Fever that’s above 38°C, or does not get better
- Fluid build-up in your stomach
- Pain in your stomach
- Swollen ankles or legs
- Trouble staying awake
- Yellow colouring in the whites of your eyes or your skin