Scarring of the liver or cirrhosis prevents the liver from performing many if its necessary functions. Click here for detailed information on the damaging effects of cirrhosis.

• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Weight loss or sudden weight gain
• Bruises
• Jaundice
• Itchy skin
• Swelling of the legs (edema)
• Swelling of the abdomen (ascites)
• Mental confusion - called hepatic encephalopathy
• Fever
• Scarred liver tissue
• Liver damage
• Elevated bilirubin
• Abnormal ALP
• Abnormal AST
• Abnormal ALT
• Abnormal Albumin
• Abnormal Globulin
• Abnormal Prothrombin time
• Abnormal Ammonia
• Abnormal liver CAT scan
• Abnormal ultrasound
• Abnormal liver biopsy

For additional information on the symptoms of cirrhosis, click here.

Note: While the information here is excellent, the language in this source is difficult. This might be a good source to come back to after you have a basic understanding of cirrhosis.

Click here for a description of treatment options associated with cirrhosis. Click here for detailed information about liver transplants.

Healthy Liver Function
This article clearly explains the liver and its basic functions. It has excellent images to help you understand liver anatomy, as well as compare healthy and diseased livers.