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7 Signs you May Be Suffering from Liver Problems

The liver is undoubtedly the most crucial organ of the human body, and there is no denying it. Not to deny that this organ is often located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen and is responsible for multiple functions, including metabolic and synthetic procedures. Therefore, it is essential to carefully note all the warning signs of liver damage to identify any occurrence immediately. Individuals must be aware of different signs of liver failure that may arise at any time. If you can identify the disease early, it is easier to control it.

Why is Liver Important?

The importance of an organ like the liver is all due to its following functions.

• The organ can hassle-free produce bile, which helps break down and absorb fat in the small intestine.
• The organ is helpful as it efficiently synthesizes proteins such as albumin and becomes a factor for blood clotting.
• The organ metabolism and storage of carbohydrates for use as glucose in the blood
• The organ is responsible for the regulation of blood clotting
• This organ can hassle-free eliminate bilirubin through metabolism or secretion
• This organ is responsible for the conversion of ammonia to urea in protein metabolism
• This organ fights infection through the development of immune factors and the removal of bacteria from the bloodstream
• This organ is responsible for the elimination of biochemical wastes, detoxification of alcohol, and certain drugs

What Causes Liver Damage?

Generally, liver disease is defined as any disturbance in the functioning of the liver that leads to illness. However, certain liver diseases are chronic and build up over time, leading to liver failure in the advanced stages of the disease.

There are two types of liver injury one is – acute liver disease and the other is chronic liver disease.

In case of acute liver disease like – Hepatitis A or E patient may feel unwell with malaise, fever and abdominal pain. Later patient may develop jaundice.

In chronic liver disease, the damage is slow but progressive, and there may not be any problem during the early days. In the ahead stages, patients will get to know about the symptoms like weight loss, jaundice, edema feet, and more.

What are the 7 Warning Signs of Liver Damage?

If you suspect you may be experiencing liver damage, taking immediate action to prevent further damage and seeking medical attention is essential. In this article, we’ve identified seven signs your liver is dying that you should be aware of.

1. Itchy Skin

Liver damage warning signs –Itchy sign

One of the common signs of liver disease is itchy skin, which could be a sign of obstructive jaundice if you have itchy skin. It can be caused by several pathologies – stones in the bile duct, cancer of the bile duct or the head of the pancreas, and primary biliary cirrhosis.

No rash or skin lesions are usually associated with itching caused by liver disease. Excessive scratching, on the other hand, can cause visible irritation, redness, and infection.

2. Spider Angiomas

Liver damage warning signs – Spider Angiomas

You must check for liver disease if you can see small capillaries shaped like spiders under the skin on your face and legs. This condition occurs due to higher levels of oestrogen, thereby implying the improper functioning of the liver in the metabolism of your hormones.

Spider angiomas are more common in people who have liver failure in the form of cirrhosis caused by alcohol than in people who do not have cirrhosis caused by alcohol.

3. Frequent Bruising and Bleeding

Liver damage warning signs – Frequent Bruising and Bleeding

Easily bleeding or bruising after injuries clearly indicates an unhealthy liver. This may occur due to the lack of specific proteins needed for clotting blood, suggesting some liver issues.

Blood pools beneath the skin, causing bruises. When they first appear, bruises can be black and blue, brownish or purple. They fade and change color.

4. Swelling of Feet

Liver damage warning signs – Swelling of feet

In chronic liver disease, your legs may be accumulated with a lot of fluids. This condition can make the legs swollen. Fluid can accumulate in the legs due to increased pressure in the portal vein, also known as ascites.

Swollen legs and ascites can also be caused by the liver’s inability to produce enough blood proteins. Among options in terms of protein, albumin is the option to look for!

5. Swelling in the abdomen also called ascites

Liver damage warning signs – Swelling in the abdomen

In condition of liver failure or disease, excess fluid may accumulate in abdomen, causing abdominal distension. Fluid leaks from the surface of the liver and intestine causes ascites. This ascites is known as the fluid that build up in abdominal cavity. Ascites from liver disease are frequently associated with other symptoms of liver disease, such as hypertension. The most common sign to notice it swollen abdomen.

Causes of ascites may include:

• Liver cirrhosis. The one that is caused due to alcohol consumption.
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Blocked hepatic vein

6. Vomiting of blood

Liver damages warning signs – Vomiting of blood

In cirrhosis, if the liver patient may develop blood vomiting, which needs emergency care. The decline in health in chronic liver failure can be slow until a dramatic event occurs, such as vomiting blood or passing bloody stools.

Bleeding from varicose veins in the oesophagus and stomach is the most common cause of blood in vomit or stool.

7. Sleep Disturbance

Liver damage warning signs – Sleep disturbance

Patients that are suffering from liver cirrhosis often complain of sleep disturbances, particularly daytime sleepiness and insomnia.Patients with liver cirrhosis are likelier to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Compared to general audience, patients with sleeping disorder are more prevalence of liver cirrhosis.

Somewhere, due to the collection of toxins in the blood sleep cycle may get distributed and some patients may go into a coma.

Conclusion

While being aware of the warning signs of liver damage is essential, it is equally crucial to understand and incorporate changes in your life to reverse liver damage.We recommend that if you have any warning signs of damage, you consult a liver specialist.

If you need any help organizing a consultation with a liver specialist doctor, you may like to contact us; we would be happy to assist you.