How TCM diagnoses cirrhosis

(1) Mild symptoms are manifested during compensatory phase as fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, discomfort in the epigastrium, dull pain in the right epigastrium, abdominal distension and diarrhea. The chief manifestations of decompensatory phase are poor appetite, emaciation, lassitude, diarrhea, epigastric pain, low fever, abdominal distension, hemorrhage and neuropsychic symptoms.

(2) During compensatory phase, there are no obvious physical signs but hepatomegaly may be present. Some patients may also suffer from splenomegaly accompanied by vascular spider and liver palms. But during decompensatory phase, there are manifestations as darker complexion, jaundice, fever, varicose veins of abdominal wall, ascites, hydrothorax, moderate splenomegaly, enlargement or shrinkage of the liver, gynecomastia and sparsity of pubic hair in males, scanty menstruation or amenorrhea in females, bleeding of skin and mucosa, emaciation, anemia, edema and angular stomatitis.

(3) Anemia, decrease in white blood cell and blood platelet count can be found in blood routine examination;in liver function test, increase in aminotransferase, serum bilirubin and globulin, and decrease in albumin can be found.

(4) Ultrasonography B shows that hepatic echo grows stronger, coarser and uneven. Hepatomegaly is manifested at the early stage of the disease and hepatic shrinkage at the later stage. The surface of the liver is rough, serrate and wavy. Splenic shadow becomes larger; splenic veins thicker and curved; and portal vein thickened.

(5) Hepatic biopsy shows the histological type of hepatocirrhosis, as well as the degree of hepatic cells damage and formation of connective tissue. Continue to read Chinese medicine Treatment for Cirrhosis.