Signs of liver cirrhosis in men and women
Clinical signs of this disease are determined by the stage of the process and the degree of abnormality of the organ, the causes of cirrhosis, and the severity of inflammatory changesand compensation( decompensation) of portal hypertension. To form the final diagnosis, a detailed examination using instrumental and laboratory methods of examination is required.
During any variant of cirrhosis the following syndromes( or their combination) are distinguished:
- hemorrhagic syndrome( increased bleeding);
- cholestatic syndrome( violation of outflow of bile);
- hypersplenism( enlarged spleen);
- cytolytic syndrome( cell destruction);
- immuno-inflammatory syndrome;
- dyspeptic syndrome;
- pain syndrome;
- asthenic syndrome.
For each patient, the above syndromes are expressed in varying degrees depending on the stage of the pathological process. Among
- bloating and flatulence, which occur fairly regularly, after eating almost any type of food;
- various dyspeptic manifestations, first of all, belching bitterness and the same bitter taste in the mouth;periodic nausea and vomiting.
Stage of compensated cirrhosis
At this stage of the development of the disease, the symptoms of cirrhosis, which are evident to the patient himself and his surroundings, may be absent. The functional capabilities of the liver have not yet been violated, so there are no visual changes in the patient's body. There are also no significant changes in the so-called hepatic assays( the level of total bilirubin, protein fractions, hepatic enzymes, prothrombin index).At the initial stages of the formation of the pathological process, the following first signs of cirrhosis are important in correct diagnosis:
- the so-called "spider veins" - enlarged surface vessels in the form of red spiders;
- red coloring of the hands and less often - feet;
- bright red and shiny red lip rim;
- atrophy of the genital organs( external and internal), a decrease in characteristic hairiness in both men and women.
Usually signs of cirrhotic changes in the liver( violation of the cellular structure of the tissue) are detected accidentally during an instrumental examination( ultrasound, puncture liver biopsy or elastometry).In the diagnosis of the disease at this stage of the pathological process, the most important is the dynamic observation of the condition of patients at risk( chronic hepatitis, alcohol dependence, toxic liver damage).
The stage of subcompensation of liver cirrhosis can develop for several months, and can stretch for many years. As the pathological process progresses in the hepatic tissue, patients present various complaints. The most common cases of a sick person are:
- pulling character unpleasant( or painful) sensations that accrue after the completion of any meal( necessarily, if the dishes are fatty, spicy or sharp) or intense physical activity;such symptoms are caused by the edema of the liver capsule and are not practically stopped by the usual analgesics and antispasmodics;
- becomes almost habitual nausea after the completion of any meal( especially plentiful) and repeated vomiting( only recently eaten food or with a trace of blood if there is an expansion of the esophageal tube);
- a constant sensation of dry mouth, which is not associated with drinking regimen, and the presence of a bitter taste, regardless of the nature of the diet;
- persists flatulence and bloating;
- stool is often liquid, but without any admixture of blood and mucus, that is, it is caused not by inflammatory changes in the intestinal mucosa, but by a deficiency of digestive enzymes that are produced in the liver;
- gradually increases the icterus of the mucous membranes and skin( at first a yellowish fringe appears on the sclera, then the mucous membrane of the mouth cavity becomes yellowish, and then the skin turns yellow), the intensity of jaundice increases with the progression of cirrhosis;
- in different patients the shade of jaundice may differ: it varies from bright orange( saffron) to earthy-greenish;
- at the same time with jaundice occurs and itching skin progresses, which is a reflection of the cholestatic syndrome( violation of bile outflow and accumulation of bile acids in the skin);itching is almost constant and is difficult to treat;
- the patient's working capacity decreases: he does not cope with the usual load, notes the constant weakness and fatigue;
- for most patients is characterized by weight loss, which is usually not uniform: the limbs become very thin, and the abdomen increases in size;
- the patient himself or his associates often notice changes in character - unmotivated irritability and emotionality.
Certain differences in the clinical picture of liver cirrhosis are noted in female and male patients. This is due to a decrease in the synthesis of sex hormones and, accordingly, changes in the functions of the reproductive system. Observed:
- in women of menstrual irregularity until its complete cessation, painful menstrual bleeding or an increase in their duration;
- in men there are various violations of the sexual function: from premature ejaculation to the absence of an erection.
It should be noted that the above listed symptoms can be noted not only in the case of cirrhosis, but also in many other diseases. That is why independent diagnosis in this case is ineffective, the assumption of a possible cirrhosis of the liver can only be done by a specialist.
When performing an objective examination, the doctor discovers:
- a decrease in muscle strength and tone of all muscle groups as a result of a decrease in the amount of muscle tissue;
- formation of fatty plaques( xantelasm) in the corners of the upper eyelid;
- configuration change and reduced mobility of large joints( so-called hepatic rheumatism);
- the presence of free fluid inside the abdominal cavity, due to which the stomach significantly increases in size( the volume of the liquid can reach several liters);
- on the anterior wall of the abdomen is formed an expanded venous network( the so-called "head of the jellyfish").
When carrying out laboratory and instrumental examinations, relevant changes in the indicators characterizing the functional capacity of the liver are identified.
The stage of decompensation for cirrhosis of the liver
This is the terminal stage of the disease, which is manifested by severe impairment of the function of the liver and other body systems. The specific symptoms of this stage of cirrhosis are determined by the variant of the complication. The most common complications are:
- formation of stones of various sizes in the biliary tract;
- transformation into a malignant oncological process;
- hepatic and renal insufficiency;
- varicose veins( esophageal tube only);
- secondary bacterial systemic processes.
The leading sign of liver failure is a violation of consciousness and bleeding from various sites. When forming stones, the main manifestation is pain syndrome. Varicose expansion of the venous network of the esophageal tube is dangerously massive bleeding, which is difficult to stop. The symptomatology of complications of liver cirrhosis is manifold, it is only the specialist who can correctly treat all syndromes.