Liver Cirrhosis in Indianapolis, IN

The initial stages of liver cirrhosis may not carry any symptoms. However, a few of the initial signs that you might notice could include exhaustion, weakness, and lack of appetite. When the liver cirrhosis proceeds to progress, the symptoms may involve:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Bloody stools
• Redness of the palms
• Brownish urine
• Nausea
• Jaundice yellowing of the eyes/skin
• Swollen abdomen
• Veins that are spider web-like in appearance
• Abrupt weight loss or gain
• Cramping of muscles
• Itching
• Swelling in the legs
• Bruise or bleed easily

Scarring and damage to the liver generally cannot be cured but it can often still function even in the event two-thirds has been excised (removed) or damaged. Below are a number of the treatments the Indianapolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology team might recommend to help elevate the liver's ability to function:

• Avoiding specific medications (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
• Targeting the unique issues surrounding your cirrhosis
• Undergo a liver transplant
• Vaccination for hepatitis A and B
• Antiviral medications for hepatitis B and C
• Prevention of additional liver damage

What are the complications of liver cirrhosis?

Your liver maintains a highly critical role in the body, and any amount of damage done to the liver will negatively affect its ability to function as normal. Some of the potential health complications resulting from liver cirrhosis include:

• Liver cancer
• Bacterial peritonitis (an inflamed abdominal wall)
• Hepatic encephalopathy (the buildup of toxins in the bloodstream resulting in brain damage)
• Hypersplenism (overactive splenic function)