Does early-stage cirrhosis cause leg swelling?

Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

Updated on December 31, 2024

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Generally, in the early stages of cirrhosis, there is no swelling in the legs.

However, if a patient with cirrhosis reaches the advanced stage and develops hypoalbuminemia, swelling in the feet can easily occur. At the same time, there is also the possibility of complications such as ascites, portal hypertensive gastropathy, and esophagogastric varices, among others.

If swelling of the legs occurs in patients with cirrhosis, it indicates that the patient has entered the decompensated stage. At this point, it is necessary to go to the hospital as soon as possible to complete the relevant examinations to determine the cause of the cirrhosis, so that targeted treatment can be administered based on the cause as soon as possible.

Other Voices

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

43sec

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What will happen if someone with cirrhosis occasionally stays up late?

Patients with cirrhosis occasionally staying up late may also exacerbate the extent of liver function impairment, thereby accelerating the progression of cirrhosis and causing some complications such as spontaneous peritonitis, liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy, etc. Therefore, patients with cirrhosis should also not stay up late occasionally. Patients with cirrhosis should pay attention to rest, combine work with rest, avoid staying up late, and avoid eating overly spicy and stimulating food. They should also consume more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, regularly check liver function, and take treatments targeting the cause of cirrhosis and liver protection, etc.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang

Gastroenterology

46sec

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Is liver cirrhosis with ascites contagious?

Liver cirrhosis in the decompensated stage with ascites present is not inherently contagious. Whether the condition is infectious depends not on the severity of liver function, the degree of liver cirrhosis, or the gravity of ascites, but rather on the underlying cause of the liver cirrhosis. For example, liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol consumption is not contagious. However, if the liver cirrhosis is due to viral hepatitis, such as commonly seen with hepatitis B or C, the condition can be infectious. Therefore, the presence of ascites or liver cirrhosis itself is not an indicator of infectiousness; the crucial factor is whether there is an infectious virus present.

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Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

52sec

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Does early-stage cirrhosis hurt when pressed?

The anatomical location of the liver is covered by the ribs, so generally, the liver cannot be felt below the lower edge of the ribs, and since it is covered by the ribs, the liver cannot be pressed, hence there is no such thing as pain upon pressing. When we generally check for liver pain, we use percussion pain. By percussing the area of the liver, which is under the rib area, pain can be elicited in the liver, this is called percussion pain. The liver generally does not have tenderness because it simply cannot be pressed. Early stages of liver cirrhosis usually exhibit little to no pain sensation. However, some symptoms might appear during the decompensated phase, such as fatigue, weight loss, dull complexion, reduced urine output, edema, and spider angiomata, among other symptoms.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

39sec

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What causes stomach pain in the early stages of cirrhosis?

Early stages of cirrhosis may present with stomach pain, likely due to erosion in the stomach caused by the cirrhosis. It is recommended to promptly complete a gastroscopy to rule out the presence of portal hypertensive gastropathy or esophagogastric varices, while also testing for Helicobacter pylori infection. If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment should be based on the underlying cause. Consider using proton pump inhibitors to suppress stomach acid secretion, or using antacids like aluminum magnesium carbonate to protect the stomach lining. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

44sec

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Is the pain obvious in the early stages of cirrhosis?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, the pain is not very obvious. Patients in the early stages of cirrhosis may experience vague discomfort in the upper right abdomen, while others may never experience pain at all. Those in the early stages may also have symptoms such as belching, fatigue, acid reflux, jaundice, and dark urine. Further comprehensive auxiliary examinations are needed, such as liver function tests and abdominal imaging studies. At the same time, it is important to identify the cause of early-stage cirrhosis in patients as soon as possible and adopt appropriate treatment measures based on different causes. For instance, if it is caused by alcohol, then treatment should involve abstaining from alcohol.