Cirrhosis of the liver is a serious condition that can lead to end-stage liver disease. The signs and symptoms of cirrhosis depend on how advanced it is, and they become more recognizable as liver function declines. The following are some of the symptoms of end-stage liver disease:
- Fatigue: People often experience severe fatigue, drowsiness, and weakness.
- Itching: People with liver failure may develop itchy skin, also known as pruritus.
- Loss of appetite: People in the final stages of liver disease may struggle to eat, leading to malnutrition.
- Easy bleeding and bruising: This happens because the liver normally produces proteins needed for blood clotting. When the liver can’t make enough of these proteins, the blood’s ability to clot is impaired.
- Sleep disturbances: People often experience insomnia at night and daytime sleepiness.
- Swelling: Fluid accumulation of the abdomen is a serious complication of liver disease that can lead to bloating, pain in the abdomen, abdominal swelling, and shortness of breath.
- Jaundice: Yellow tint to your skin and eyes.
- Muscle cramps: People may experience muscle cramps.
- Trouble sleeping at night: People may have trouble sleeping at night.
- Depression: People may experience depression.
- Vomiting blood: A person may vomit blood.aspx).
- Black and tarry stool: A person may pass black and tarry stool, indicating that there is blood in the stool.aspx).
It is important to note that the final days of liver failure can vary depending on the person, and someone may experience symptoms such as confusion, general or localized pain, and yellow skin and eyes.