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Cirrosis - Symptom

Nombres alternativos

Cirrosis hepática; Enfermedad hepática crónica criptógena

Síntomas:

Los síntomas pueden desarrollarse gradualmente y también es posible que no se presenten. Cuando en verdad ocurren, pueden abarcar:

  • Dolor o indigestión abdominal
  • Confusión o problemas para pensar
  • Impotencia, pérdida del interés sexual y desarrollo de mamas en el hombre (ginecomastia)
  • Náuseas y vómitos
  • Hemorragia nasal o encías sangrantes
  • Heces de color pálido o color arcilla
  • Vasos sanguíneos pequeños, rojos y en forma de araña bajo la piel
  • Hinchazón o acumulación de líquido en las piernas (edema) y en el abdomen (ascitis)
  • Vómito con sangre o sangre en las heces
  • Debilidad
  • Pérdida de peso
  • Coloración amarillenta en la piel, las membranas mucosas o los ojos (ictericia)

Pruebas y exámenes:

Durante un examen físico, el médico puede encontrar:

  • Hepatomegalia y esplenomegalia
  • Tejido mamario excesivo
  • Abdomen expandido (distendido) como resultado de la presencia de demasiado líquido
  • Palmas enrojecidas
  • Vasos sanguíneos rojos en la piel en forma de araña
  • Dedos pequeños o contraídos
  • Testículos pequeños
  • Venas de la pared abdominal dilatadas (ensanchadas)
  • Ojos o piel amarilla (ictericia)

Entre los exámenes que revelan problemas hepáticos se encuentran:

Los siguientes exámenes se pueden usar para evaluar el hígado:

Una biopsia del hígado confirma la presencia de cirrosis.

A algunos pacientes se les harán exámenes en busca de cáncer del hígado cada 6 meses. El médico utilizará un examen de sangre para verificar los niveles de alfa-fetoproteína y realizará un examen imagenológico (ecografía, resonancia magnética o tomografía).

  • Reviewed last on: 12/13/2010
  • George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Garcia-Tsao G, Lim JK; Members of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program. Management and treatment of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension: recommendations from the Department of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program and the National Hepatitis C Program. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104:1802-1829.

Schuppan D, Afdhal NH. Liver cirrhosis. Lancet. 2008;371:838-851.

Mehta G, Rothstein KD. Health maintenance issues in cirrhosis. Med Clin North Am. 2009;93:901-915.

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