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11 signs of liver damage one should never ignore

The liver plays an indispensable role in one’s body, performing several functions, including boosting immunity and supporting the metabolism. Hence, health issues pertaining to the liver should be addressed promptly to avoid complications. Some common liver-related health conditions include cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and hepatitis A and B. Recognizing the signs of liver disease early can help with timely diagnosis and treatment. Here are some common liver damage signs one should never ignore:

Common signs of liver damage
Severe abdominal pain
A dull, persistent ache in the right upper side of the abdomen is likely a sign of liver disease and should not be ignored. This pain is usually caused by the accumulation of ascites, or fluid, in the abdomen due to a liver condition.

Yellowing of the skin and eyes
Individuals with liver damage may experience jaundice-like symptoms characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes. Such yellowing is attributed to excessive concentrations of bilirubin, which typically passes through the liver and is excreted from the body. In the case of patients with liver problems, the liver is unable to excrete this substance optimally, leading to yellow pigmentation.

Swelling of the feet and ankles
When the liver stops functioning optimally, it eventually results in fluid buildup in the legs, feet, and ankles, causing these body parts to swell up.

Dark-colored urine
Bilirubin in excessive quantities in the body can also cause the urine to turn dark orange, amber, or brown in color. This is a tell-tale sign of liver disease.

Itching
A hidden sign of liver damage is itchy skin or pruritus, usually not accompanied by rashes or visible signs of a skin condition. This symptom may be caused by an increase in bile salt levels due to a liver condition. This bile salt usually accumulates underneath the skin, causing one to experience a persistent itching sensation.

Light-colored stools
Bile refers to a digestive fluid that the liver produces and stores in the gallbladder. The typical brownish color of stools is because of bile, which is excreted into the small intestine when food gets digested. However, in the case of liver disease, the liver does not produce bile or release it into the small intestine, causing stools to be white or light-colored.

Loss of appetite
Ghrelin is a hormone secreted by the stomach, helping the brain determine when it is time for a meal. Inadequate ghrelin secretion due to liver damage may cause one to lose appetite.

Chronic fatigue
Fatigue due to liver disease is characterized by chronic weakness and lack of energy throughout the day, even in the morning. Studies have shown that fatigue is the most common symptom reported by patients grappling with liver disease.

Nausea and vomiting
With the liver losing its ability to function normally, patients with liver disease may experience digestive issues like nausea and vomiting and sometimes even vomit blood.

Delayed sleep onset
Delayed sleep phase or onset is a sleep disorder in which the body’s circadian rhythm is affected, causing delays of at least two hours from one’s usual sleep schedule. This disorder is a common sign of liver damage, as the liver is responsible for metabolizing melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Hence, sleep delays, accompanied by other symptoms of liver disease, could be an indicator of an underlying liver problem and should not be ignored.

Increased susceptibility to bruises and excessive bleeding
The progression of liver damage may cause the liver to stop producing the proteins required for blood clotting. Consequently, one is likely to develop bruises quickly and may experience excessive bleeding if wounds are formed.

Lifestyle and management tips
Avoid red meat and processed foods
Although red meat is a rich protein source, breaking down its protein content is difficult for the liver, particularly among patients with liver damage. Moreover, excessive protein accumulation in the liver can cause or worsen fatty liver disease with time. Similarly, processed foods like bacon, sausages, and processed butter and cheese are not easily digestible by the liver and may aggravate liver conditions. Therefore, people with liver problems should avoid red meat and processed foods. Lean protein sources like poultry, coupled with healthy carb sources, are better alternatives.

Cut down on calorie intake
Consuming excess calories can cause fat to accumulate in the liver, triggering or aggravating liver damage and increasing one’s risk of fatty liver disease. A high-calorie meal plan can also increase one’s susceptibility to cholesterol, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, which can further impede recovery from liver disease. Hence, individuals with liver diseases should ensure to cut down on calorie intake.

Reduce salt intake
The liver typically regulates the balance of water and sodium in the body. However, it may not be able to carry out this function efficiently in the case of liver disease. Consequently, having too much salty food can aggravate fluid retention in the legs, feet, and ankles and cause or aggravate bloating and abdominal pain. Therefore, patients with liver damage should reduce the quantity of salt in their foods and avoid fries and other salted snacks.

Maintain an active lifestyle
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that patients with liver diseases like fatty liver should engage in moderate-intensity exercises for 150 minutes per week. Thus, it helps to maintain an active lifestyle, incorporating activities like walking, jogging, and stretching while healing from liver diseases.

Stay hydrated
Adequate hydration is crucial for the liver to perform its functions more optimally. Insufficient water intake throughout the day can aggravate existing liver disease symptoms. Thus, patients with liver damage should have plenty of water and other healthy fluids, including fresh fruit juices, soups, smoothies, and coconut water.

The liver is among the most essential organs in the human body. Unfortunately, over 100 million people nationwide suffer from some type of liver disease. Early intervention and a healthy lifestyle are the cornerstones to symptom management and steady healing from liver conditions.

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