What should I do if cirrhosis causes general weakness?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 26, 2024
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Liver cirrhosis can lead to general weakness due to electrolyte disorders or severe liver function impairment, causing the symptoms mentioned above. Once general weakness occurs, it is necessary to go to the hospital for comprehensive auxiliary examinations, such as liver function tests, routine blood tests, and electrolyte tests. Additionally, imaging studies of the abdomen should be performed to determine whether conditions like ascites, anemia, or hyponatremia exist. Different treatments are administered based on different disease diagnoses. For instance, if the weakness is due to severe ascites causing dilutional hyponatremia, sodium supplementation might be necessary, along with appropriate ascites drainage.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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What is the difference between the symptoms of cholecystitis and the symptoms of cirrhosis?

The symptoms of cholecystitis differ significantly from those of cirrhosis. The symptoms of cholecystitis mainly manifest as pain in the upper right abdomen, along with chills and fever, while the symptoms of cirrhosis primarily include fatigue, poor appetite, and may also present with jaundice, abdominal distension, and swelling of the lower limbs. To determine whether a patient has cholecystitis or cirrhosis, it is recommended to visit the gastroenterology department of a standard hospital as soon as possible for a comprehensive examination. This should include abdominal imaging, liver function tests, complete blood count, among others, to further clarify the diagnosis and adopt corresponding treatment measures.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can cirrhosis be contagious?

Diseases that cause cirrhosis include viral hepatitis, such as chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, and others, as well as alcoholic liver disease or autoimmune liver disease, all of which can lead to cirrhosis. Only cirrhosis caused by viral hepatitis can be contagious, and it only transmits hepatitis B or C virus, not cirrhosis directly. After a patient is infected with hepatitis B or C virus, they may gradually develop chronic hepatitis B or C. Over a long period of time, the virus damages the liver cells which can eventually lead to cirrhosis. Thus, cirrhosis itself is not contagious; only the virus can be transmitted.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Can the liver regrow after partial removal due to cirrhosis?

First, let us understand the causes of cirrhosis. The most common cause is chronic hepatitis B, which can develop into hepatitis B-related cirrhosis over time. The second is chronic hepatitis C, which can also lead to hepatitis C and cirrhosis in the long term. Another type is alcoholic cirrhosis, which occurs due to long-term excessive alcohol consumption. Cirrhosis involves the hardening of the entire liver, not just parts of it; the whole organ becomes hardened, not just certain sections. Once the entire liver is hardened due to cirrhosis, it is not possible to just remove a part and expect a normal liver to grow back. Thus, unlike what might be suggested in some discussions, it is not feasible to remove a part of a cirrhotic liver with the expectation of regeneration. Liver cirrhosis cannot be partially removed; it is not operable in this way.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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The difference between fatty liver and liver cirrhosis

Fatty liver is shown through ultrasound as having an increased and finely detailed echo in the liver, which is completely different from liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is generally caused by the progression of chronic hepatitis, commonly seen in hepatitis B-related cirrhosis, hepatitis C-related cirrhosis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. Cirrhosis resulting from drug-induced liver damage or from severe fatty liver is relatively rare in clinical practice. Therefore, we should not panic. Once diagnosed with fatty liver, it can be reversed through proper diet and reasonable exercise, and its progression to liver cirrhosis can be prevented. So, everyone, there is no need to rush or panic.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is alcoholic cirrhosis ascites serious?

Once ascites caused by alcoholic liver cirrhosis is discovered, it indicates that the liver has reached the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, which is quite severe. Decompensated cirrhosis itself has a relatively low five-year and ten-year survival rate. Moreover, once the liver enters the decompensated stage, it is also prone to corresponding complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, infections, etc. Therefore, when alcoholic liver cirrhosis presents with ascites, it is crucial to seek treatment at a formal hospital. The condition is quite serious and requires active treatment.