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Warning-sign checks

Cirrhosis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care for:

    • Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
    • Black, tar-like stool or a large amount of blood in the stool
    • Severe or rapidly worsening confusion
    • Inability to wake normally
    • Fainting, severe weakness, or difficulty breathing
    • Fever with new abdominal pain or tenderness
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the treating clinician promptly for increasing abdominal or leg swelling, worsening jaundice, new confusion, reduced urine output, persistent vomiting, fever, or a rapid change in weight.

    These symptoms may require earlier testing or adjustment of treatment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Cirrhosis requires ongoing follow-up even when symptoms are absent.

    Routine visits may include blood tests, assessment of nutrition and muscle strength, medicine review, and monitoring for fluid buildup, confusion, bleeding, or infection.

    Follow-up frequency depends on liver function, the cause of cirrhosis, previous complications, and current treatment.

The article also says

The care plan may also include liver cancer surveillance and evaluation for portal hypertension or varices.

Keeping an updated medicine list and sharing it with every healthcare professional can reduce medication-related harm.

It may also help to involve a trusted family member or caregiver, particularly if confusion has occurred before.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Cirrhosis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.