It’s easy to think that only alcoholics get liver disease. Whilst alcoholism is a common cause, livers aren’t as durable as you think, and can be damaged by diets, genetic conditions and many diseases, such as Hepatitis A, B and C.
Since the liver is responsible for detoxifying our blood, any damage is potentially lethal. Here’s six symptoms to watch out for.
1. Going yellow
When anyone spontaneously changes colour, it’s always a cause for concern. Jaundice is characteristic of liver disease, which causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes, due to an accumulation of pigments in the blood. If this applies to you, see a doctor immediately. Lemon is definitely not your colour.
When anyone spontaneously changes colour, it’s always a cause for concern. Jaundice is characteristic of liver disease, which causes a yellowing of the skin and eyes, due to an accumulation of pigments in the blood. If this applies to you, see a doctor immediately. Lemon is definitely not your colour.
2. Nausea
Everyone gets an upset stomach, from time to time. But if you’re constantly hunched over the toilet, it might be something more serious. Since the liver is your body’s filtration system, people become poisoned if it is damaged or failing, which manifests as frequent vomiting. Most likely, it’s just a dodgy kebab, but don’t dismiss your symptoms as harmless. It pays to check.
Everyone gets an upset stomach, from time to time. But if you’re constantly hunched over the toilet, it might be something more serious. Since the liver is your body’s filtration system, people become poisoned if it is damaged or failing, which manifests as frequent vomiting. Most likely, it’s just a dodgy kebab, but don’t dismiss your symptoms as harmless. It pays to check.
3. Changes in your urine and faeces
Alright, so nobody likes to look at what you flush, but it’s the best way of keeping tabs on your health. Hopefully, we don’t need to tell you what colour things should be. Frequently dark and foul-smelling urine is a common sign of liver damage, as is constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and passing pale, tar-like or bloody stools.
Alright, so nobody likes to look at what you flush, but it’s the best way of keeping tabs on your health. Hopefully, we don’t need to tell you what colour things should be. Frequently dark and foul-smelling urine is a common sign of liver damage, as is constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and passing pale, tar-like or bloody stools.
4. Fluid retention
A common symptom of liver disease is the retention of fluid, especially around the ankles, feet and legs, due to circulatory issues caused by poorly filtered blood. Likewise, fluid can accumulate in the abdominal cavity (medically known as ascites), which gives the patient a bloated appearance. Whilst fluid retention is a symptom of other medical conditions, liver disease is one of the most common causes.
A common symptom of liver disease is the retention of fluid, especially around the ankles, feet and legs, due to circulatory issues caused by poorly filtered blood. Likewise, fluid can accumulate in the abdominal cavity (medically known as ascites), which gives the patient a bloated appearance. Whilst fluid retention is a symptom of other medical conditions, liver disease is one of the most common causes.
5. Fatigue
Whilst the science isn’t fully understood, tiredness and fatigue remains the most common symptom of liver disease, even if professionals can’t entirely explain why. Popular theories suggest it’s due to hormonal changes, or a direct symptom of increased toxicity in the blood.
Whilst the science isn’t fully understood, tiredness and fatigue remains the most common symptom of liver disease, even if professionals can’t entirely explain why. Popular theories suggest it’s due to hormonal changes, or a direct symptom of increased toxicity in the blood.
6. Dramatic weight loss
Most people would love to quickly lose weight. Sadly, the “liver disease diet” cannot be recommended. As liver function decreases, blood toxicity increases, causing nausea and a loss of appetite, which results in extreme weight loss. Unfortunately, this is the point of no return, as it occurs during catastrophic liver damage. A transplant is usually the only cure.
Most people would love to quickly lose weight. Sadly, the “liver disease diet” cannot be recommended. As liver function decreases, blood toxicity increases, causing nausea and a loss of appetite, which results in extreme weight loss. Unfortunately, this is the point of no return, as it occurs during catastrophic liver damage. A transplant is usually the only cure.
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