What other health problems can cirrhosis lead to?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Cirrhosis is advanced scarring of the liver that can cause serious complications, including:

Ascites: Fluid buildup in the abdomen
Hepatic encephalopathy: Confusion and cognitive changes from toxin buildup
Easy bruising and bleeding: Due to reduced clotting factors
Kidney dysfunction: Including hepatorenal syndrome
Increased infection risk: Weakened immune response
Portal hypertension: Which can lead to internal bleeding

Recognizing these complications early can dramatically improve outcomes. Because cirrhosis symptoms often overlap with other conditions and can escalate quickly, understanding what your body is telling you is critical. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights into your symptoms and clear guidance on your next steps—no signup required, and it only takes about 3 minutes.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover if cirrhosis explains your symptoms See how serious your liver symptoms may be Find likely causes of cirrhosis symptoms Find OTC options for cirrhosis symptom relief Find a liver specialist near you Discover safe home remedies for cirrhosis Check if symptoms need urgent care

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Explanation

Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver is scarred and doesn't work well. This can cause several health problems. If you're experiencing symptoms related to liver health, you can use Ubie's free AI symptom checker to better understand what might be happening with your body.

Common Complications:

Ascites: This is when fluid builds up in the belly, making it swell.
Hepatic Encephalopathy: This can cause confusion and forgetfulness because toxins build up in the brain.
Variceal Bleeding: Cirrhosis can make veins in the stomach and esophagus swell and burst, leading to serious bleeding.

Other Health Issues:

Kidney Problems: Cirrhosis can lead to kidney issues, which might make you feel dizzy or tired.
Infections: You might get sick more easily because your body can't fight off germs as well.

Cirrhosis can also cause bruising and bleeding because the liver isn't making enough proteins to help blood clot. It's important to manage these complications with the help of doctors to stay as healthy as possible.

(References)

Premkumar M, & Anand AC. (2022). Overview of Complications in Cirrhosis. Journal of clinical and experimental hepatology, 35814522.
Reincke M, Thimme R, & Schultheiß M. (2023). [Complications of liver cirrhosis]. Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946), 37820648.
Nusrat S, Khan MS, Fazili J, & Madhoun MF. (2014). Cirrhosis and its complications: evidence based treatment. World journal of gastroenterology, 24833875.

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