Oversensitivity to medications. Therefore, drugs act longer than expected, building up in the body and often making people with cirrhosis very sensitive to medications and their side effects. Slow blood flow, enlarged spleen, and varices. Cirrhosis slows the flow of blood through the liver. The blockage of normal flow of blood causes the spleen to enlarge.
Varices have thin walls and carry high pressure.
If they break, they can cause serious bleeding from the upper stomach or esophagus, putting the patient's life in danger unless quick action is taken to stop the bleeding. The liver has trouble removing toxins, which may build up in the blood. Early signs of toxin accumulation in the brain may include neglect of personal appearance, unresponsiveness, forgetfulness, lack of concentration, changes in sleeping habits, or agitation. Water accumulation and poor blood clotting. As the liver declines, it makes less protein.