The liver is an absolutely vital organ, and is one that we are unable to survive without. The liver cleans and detoxifies the body continuously, and prevents the dangerous build-up of contaminants that would eventually cause death. Liver damage is commonly caused by years of alcohol or drug abuse, which causes a condition called cirrhosis.
There are also liver diseases that are hereditary, and those that are caused by infections such as hepatitis. If you suspect you may have liver damage, these signs and symptoms may help you come to a conclusion.
1. SWELLING
Liver disease will often cause and accumulation of fluids which will become apparent in the abdominal area. Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition that will often cause a fluid build-up, and may be severe enough to actually make someone appear to be pregnant.
2. JAUNDICE
This is an extremely common and well-recognized symptom of liver disease. Both the skin and the whites of the eyes will appear somewhat yellow, which is caused by the accumulation of a substance called bilirubin in the bloodstream due to the inability of the diseased liver to filter it out and eliminate it.
3. TENDERNESS
Increased sensitivity to pain may develop as a result of liver damage. It is most likely that pain and sensitivity will develop in the right side of the abdomen and may be in the vicinity of the lower portion of the rib cage.
4. CHANGES TO URINE
Since urination is one of the primary ways the waste that’s filtered from the bloodstream by the liver is eliminated from the body, changes in the appearance of the urine are quite common. The urine may become darker in color due to higher levels of bilirubin which are not filtered and eliminated normally.
5. SKIN PROBLEMS
Dry, flaky skin may come and go under normal circumstances, but if it seems persistent and does not resolve, it could be a sign of liver damage. Lack of proper fluid levels due to failure of liver function can cause the skin to dry out and develop areas that are irritated, itchy, and flaky.
6. ELIMINATION
Since the elimination process is normally how the toxins are removed from the body by the liver are flushed from the body, changes in stool may become apparent due to liver damage. The color of stool may become noticeably more pale or even much darker like the color of tar. There may also be bouts of constipation, diarrhea and symptoms that mimic irritable bowel syndrome.
7. VOMITING
Unexplained bouts of vomiting can be caused by liver damage, as well as other digestive problems such as acid reflux and generalized indigestion.
8. EATING HABITS
Liver damage that has advanced into the later stages and is beginning to cause liver failure often causes a severe lack of appetite. As a result, dramatic weight loss may be noted, and symptoms that are associated with malnutrition may also occur.
9. EXHAUSTION
As the body becomes more and more stressed due to the accumulations of toxins that a damaged liver is unable to remove, feelings of general weakness, fatigue and exhaustion may set in. Fatigue may be accompanied by mental confusion and memory loss during the advanced stages of liver disease and eventually lead to coma as liver failure takes hold.
