Symptoms:

Symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease. They are usually worse after a recent period of heavy drinking.

Symptoms may not be present until the disease is advanced.

General symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain and tenderness
• Dry mouth and increased thirst
• Fatigue
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Swelling or fluid buildup in the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites) when cirrhosis is present
• Weight loss

Skin changes include:

• Abnormally dark or light skin
• Redness on feet or hands
• Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
• Yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes (jaundice)

Abnormal bleeding:

• Bloody, dark black, or tarry bowel movements (melena)
• Nosebleeds or bleeding gums
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Brain and nervous system symptoms:

• Agitation (being stirred up, excited, or irritable)
• Changing mood
• Confusion (encephalopathy)
  • Periods of decreased alertness or awareness
  • Hallucinations
  • Impaired short- or long-term memory
• Pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs
• Problems paying attention or concentrating
• Poor judgment
• Slow, sluggish movements

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

• Breast development in males
• Light-headedness or fainting, especially when rising to standing position
• Paleness

Signs and tests:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Liver biopsy
• Liver function tests such as ALP

Tests to rule out other diseases include:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Blood tests for other causes of liver disease
• Ultrasound of the abdomen