Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

Often, no symptoms appear until the disease has entered the late stages. When they occur, symptoms can include:

• Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
• Unusual gain or loss of weight.
• Yellow coloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
• Dark urine.
• Bloody, black stools or unusually light-colored stools.
• Vomiting of blood.
• Abdominal swelling.
• Prolonged generalized itching.
• Swollen feet or legs.
• Red palms.
• Sleep disturbances and confusion.
• Fatigue or loss of stamina.
• Enlarged breasts in men.
• Loss of sex drive.
• Menstrual changes in women.
• Spiderlike blood vessels on chest and shoulders.
• Unusual bruising.

Call Your Doctor If:

You notice any of the symptoms listed above. Without proper treatment, cirrhosis can be fatal.