The liver is an important organ located in the upper quadrant of the abdomen. It is the largest organ in the body and is responsible for over a hundred important processes. That is why you need to learn the symptoms of liver damage and how to properly treat the disease.
There are over 100 different liver diseases and each one has different symptoms. The most common are hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease. The symptoms of these diseases are often misdiagnosed and detected far too late to act. Here are some of the most common symptoms of liver disease:
Stomach ache
Vomiting and nausea are common symptoms of many illnesses, including food poisoning, motion sickness, dizziness, depression, teenage pregnancy, and more. However, they are also a sign of liver damage and occur due to the organ’s inability to filter out toxins.
Loss of appetite
When damaged, the liver cannot produce enough bile, which leads to loss of appetite because food is not properly digested.
Tired
Feeling tired all the time can be an indication of liver damage, as the organ works harder when under attack. In this case, more toxins accumulate in the blood and tissues and lead to constant fatigue which should not be confused with simple fatigue.
Digestive issues
The liver produces bile to digest food and fat, but when its function is impaired, it cannot produce the substance that leads to diarrhea and indigestion. Lack of bile can also cause intolerance to fatty foods, gallstones, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and bloating.
Changes in stool color
Bile gives stools its normal brown color, but when lacking, it can make your stools yellow, gray, or clayey. If it’s temporary, you have nothing to worry about. However, if the problem persists for a while, you need to see a doctor.
Changes in urine color
Urine is normally yellow, but increased levels of bilirubin in the blood as a result of liver damage can turn it into amber, green, or brown.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition that causes a person’s eyes, fingertips, tongue, and skin to turn yellow. It is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood and should be taken seriously.
Water retention
Once the liver starts to fail, it causes water retention in the feet and ankles, making them swollen. Fluid retention can also be a symptom of heart failure, hormonal imbalance, lymphatic disease, and kidney problems.
Abdominal changes
Cramps, pain and bloating in the abdominal area can be a sign of liver damage. Ascites is a condition in which fluid builds up in the abdominal area and is one of the first signs of damage or disease to the liver. Damage to the liver can also cause high blood pressure in the abdominal blood vessels.
Itchy skin
When the liver is damaged, it makes the skin more sensitive and can cause itching and peeling. It can also make your veins and bruises more noticeable, and the problems won’t go away with just a cream.
Abdominal pain
Although they can be caused by many problems, stomach aches can also indicate liver damage or disease.
Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal bleeding
The liver is important for proper clotting, so when damaged it can cause bleeding, diarrhea, and constipation.
This is only a fraction of the full list of symptoms of liver damage. Damage or disease of the liver can also cause sex hormone imbalance and gynecomastia, and can also lead to loss of libido. If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately.