Unfortunately, the percentage of world population that is diagnosed with liver disease is constantly on the rise. According to statistics, the fifth most common cause of death is liver disease. Moreover, of all illnesses of the digestive organs, those of the liver are the second most common cause of death.
What Damages the Liver?
Liver problems can be a consequence of different factors, including genetics, chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis, as well as long-term exposure to toxins. Therefore, it is pivotal to be able to recognize the warning symptoms of liver problems so that we can preserve our health and well-being at an optimal level.
7 Symptoms of Liver Problems
Fatigue
Research indicates that chronic tiredness and fatigue are the most common signs of liver damage. Medical experts assert that these symptoms occur as a result of neurochemical changes in the brain due to hormonal imbalance. Since the level of toxic substances in the liver is much higher because the liver is unable to filter them out of the body, the patient may feel very tired and without energy.
Dry and irritated skin
Itchy, dry, and irritated skin could point out to liver damage. In order to be healthy, our skin needs proper moisture which it gets from the bodily fluids. When the amount of these fluids is low, the skin can undergo changes manifested through redness in the feet and hands, jaundice, dark or light skin spots, etc.
Abdominal pain
When the liver is damaged, it is not uncommon to experience pain in the abdominal area. This pain is usually throbbing or pulsating and it only goes away after the underlying issue has been properly treated. Long-term usage of meds that were not prescribed in consultation with your physician can damage the liver additionally.
Nausea and vomiting
One of the roles of the liver is to detoxify, cleanse, and eliminate all toxic substances from the body. However, when this process is impeded, one may experience a lot of problems, along with digestion and metabolism issues. Since the liver is unable to eliminate the waste, the body tries to expel it through vomiting.
Bruising
Another essential role of the liver is the production of enzymes, for example, the blood clotting enzyme. When this function of the liver is inhibited, the change will be visible on the skin in the form of bruises and easy bleeding.
Flatulence
A damaged liver impedes the blood flow through the body which causes additional pressure in the surrounding veins. They are responsible for the transport of blood from the spleen and intestines to the liver. When this process is interrupted, the risk of blood pressure spikes is much higher. Also known as portal hypertension, this health problem causes accumulation of fluid in the abdomen which is known as Ascites. This can also be a result of the liver’s inability to synthesize other blood proteins.
Jaundice
When the liver is damaged, it can manifest through yellowish skin and yellowish eye whites as a result of bilirubin deposits, which the liver is unable to break down adequately. Other accompanying symptoms are darkish urine, itchy body, and cognitive damage.
All in all, the good news is that the liver is a very flexible organ that has the power to heal itself. With the right medical attention, most liver problems have a positive outcome.