How common is jaundice in liver cirrhosis?

The liver normally processes bilirubin, a yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, and helps remove it through bile. Cirrhosis can reduce this processing and may also slow bile flow. Bilirubin can then build up, making the whites of the eyes or skin look yellow. Dark urine, pale stools, or itching may occur alongside the colour change.

The degree of jaundice does not by itself show how much liver damage is present. A clinician may assess your symptoms, examine you, and order blood tests or imaging to understand liver function and look for a blocked bile duct or another cause.

Arrange a medical review if yellowing is new, worsening, or accompanied by dark urine, pale stools, abdominal swelling, easy bruising, or increasing sleepiness. Bring a list of medicines, supplements, and alcohol use because some substances can affect the liver. Do not stop prescribed treatment or start herbal remedies without clinical advice.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, difficulty staying awake, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, fever with shaking chills, or rapidly worsening yellowing. These signs can signal a complication of liver disease or an infection and need prompt assessment.

Ask what may be causing the jaundice, whether your medicines or bile flow need review, which tests are planned, and which changes should prompt an emergency visit.