How Does a Doctor Diagnose Liver Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis of the liver is a very dangerous medical condition that can result in the complete failure of the liver to function. Obviously, this is not a good thing - you need your liver to be working properly in order to live. Cirrhosis is not really a disease, rather it is the end result of several diseases that have a primary effect on the tissues of the liver. Cirrhosis can result from an infection by one of the hepatitis viruses, or any condition that causes chronic damage to the liver over a long period of time (e.g. alcohol consumption).

Liver cirrhosis is a state in which the tissues of the liver become scarred and non-functioning. There are many ways that a doctor can make a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. The first and most obvious step in making a diagnosis is to talk to the patient and determine if there are any risk factors for the development of cirrhosis. A history of heavy alcohol consumption, IV drug use, or infection by any of the hepatitis viruses, can all make a person more likely to have cirrhosis of the liver.

Other significant causes of liver cirrhosis include a build-up of metals in the tissues of the liver due to genetic problems with metabolism of those metals. Autoimmune problems where the body's immune system inappropriately attacks the liver can also cause cirrhosis. Heavy alcohol consumption is by far the most common cause of liver cirrhosis.

A doctor can also do a physical exam to look for some of the symptoms of cirrhosis. These can include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), constant fatigue, nausea and vomiting, chronic itching, and a loss of appetite. Easy bruising is also a sign of cirrhosis in some people. Severe cases of cirrhosis can also cause a build-up of fluid in the legs and abdomen, although this does not typically happen until the disease is relatively severe and is rarely used as a diagnostic sign.

When a doctor suspects that a person may have problem with the liver, there are blood tests that can be done to look at the functioning of the liver. These tests can very accurately tell the doctor if there are any problems with the liver. The blood tests are quick and easy to perform.

If the blood tests are consistent with liver disease, a doctor may choose to do a liver biopsy. This involves taking a long, thin needle and inserting it through the skin and in to the liver. The needle takes a small sample of tissue from the liver, which can then be analyzed to see if there are any changes to the liver that are consistent with cirrhosis.

There are some imaging studies, such as CT scans and MRI, which can help a doctor make a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. The decision to do, or not do, these scans depends on a wide range of factors. Each patient is different and can require a different priority for doing these exams.

Making a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis can be a bit complicated. The early signs and symptoms are often very vague and hard to isolate. Once the disease has progressed, it gets easier to diagnose, but much, much harder to treat. If you have questions about how a doctor makes a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, it's best to talk to your doctor. There are many tests available, but you must work with your doctor to determine which of them are most appropriate.

Source: Medical school and experience as a practicing physician.