Your liver, the largest internal organ in your body, performs a multitude of functions including regulating blood clotting, removing toxins, and producing bile. However, it can also be damaged due to illness or lifestyle habits, leading to reduced functioning and various health issues.
Liver disease is a broad term encompassing different conditions that impair normal liver function. According to Dr. Douglas Weine, a gastroenterologist, liver conditions include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cancer. Symptoms may not always appear immediately, but rather when significant liver damage occurs.
So, how do you identify potential liver problems? Hepatologists suggest the following five common warning signs:
1. Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice): Excess bilirubin can cause jaundice, which is a sign that something is amiss with your liver.
2. Dark urine: While dark urine on its own may not be concerning, it’s often associated with liver conditions that produce excess bilirubin, leading to changes in urine color.
3. Confusion and mental changes: Acute liver failure can cause disorientation, confusion, and sleepiness, even in healthy individuals.
4. Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen: This symptom is particularly related to cirrhosis, a condition where the liver scarring slows blood flow and increases pressure in veins.
5. Easy bruising and bleeding: The liver produces proteins essential for blood clotting; when it’s not functioning well, you’re more prone to bruising and bleeding.
If you suspect liver damage, consult your doctor, especially if symptoms worsen over time or include severe jaundice, changes in mental state, or difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these severe symptoms. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve liver health outcomes.
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/anikanayak/signs-liver-damage-sc