Hepatocellular carcinoma, or hepatocellular cancer (HCC), is the most common type of liver cancer. Sudden liver failure can lead to fluid buildup in the brain, excessive bleeding, and kidney failure. Dark urine may also be due to dehydration, side effects of taking antibiotics, taking B vitamin supplements, urinary tract infections, enzyme deficiencies or kidney abnormalities. Common genetic conditions that can lead to liver problems include: Symptoms vary depending on the condition but may include: An autoimmune disease is a condition that involves your immune system attacking healthy tissue in your body. You should always see your doctor in order to find out the cause of it. Liver damage from alcohol can be similar whether you are male or … If you do suspect a problem with your liver then you should arrange to speak with a doctor soon. Chest Pain Caused by Gas: Why and How to Help. Jaundice is from an increase in bilirubin in the bloodstream and in the bodily tissue that would normally be excreted in the bile. You may experience an increase in bruising and an increase in the visibility of the veins in the body. The liver is responsible for many functions that are essential for life and this is why you should keep your liver in top working condition and be aware of early signs of liver damage. It causes the skin to become yellow. Years of alcohol abuse cause the liver to become inflamed and swollen. Similar to vomiting and nausea, diarrhea is among the first visible symptoms. Some signs your liver may be struggling are: Fatigue and tiredness. In most cases, early treatment is key for a smooth recovery. It also plays an important role in filtering toxic substances out of your blood. Alcohol Consumption and Factors of Liver Damage From Alcohol . Finding the cause and extent of liver damage is important in guiding treatment.Your doctor is likely to start with a health history and thorough physical examination. One lesser known symptom of liver damage is itchy skin, which is medically referred to as pruritus. Liver cancer often develops slowly. The early signs of liver disease tend to be easily overlooked and are non-specific, related to any number of different conditions. Hepatitis is contagious, but it doesn’t always cause symptoms. Those who suffer from early liver damage often feel persistently nauseous, because the liver has a decreased ability to rid the body of toxins. 2. This happens due to a lack of production of bile that helps digest fat in the diet. This is similar to ascites except the fluid is building up in the outer tissues in the lower extremities. Last Updated 20 December, 2020. These infections might be acute (lasting six months or less) or chronic (lasting more than six months). If the bile is not produced properly, you can also experience irritable bowel syndrome, fatty food intolerance, alcohol intolerance, abdominal bloating, constipation and gallstones. Fatigue and General Malaise Nausea and Low Appetite Knowing the earliest signs and symptoms of liver disease is imperative in seeking timely medical treatment and intervention. Some of these diseases include alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis of the liver. If you think you are drinking enough but still have a dark color of your urine, this may be one of the early signs of liver damage. This is due to an increase in toxins in the bloodstream that can't be cleared out because the liver can't get rid of the toxins properly. Liver cells can be inflamed and damaged in lots of ways. The person becomes sleepy and experiences intense itching. Unlike PBC and PSC, autoimmune hepatitis can develop suddenly. However, some people experience pain in the right side of their abdomen. But there are a few common signs that often point to some kind of liver issue. Last medically reviewed on March 22, 2019, The liver is a powerhouse organ, performing a variety of tasks that are essential to maintaining good health. You often get portal hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the arteries and veins of the abdomen from liver disease. This pain may or may not be accompanied by swelling in the abdomen, or ascites. If you have these symptoms for several days and don't know why, seek the attention of your doctor. Instead of being brown, it can become pale yellow, clay colored, or gray in appearance. Mild liver damage shows non-specific signs and symptoms such as general feeling of tiredness and fatigue. Hepatitis spreads through contact with contaminated food, water, or bodily fluids, such as blood and semen. There are many other causes of fluid retention, including kidney problems, hormonal imbalances, heart failure and lymphatic disease. Since what we eat is greatly related with liver health, here is a video, talking about seven foods that are good for our liver: Copyright WWW.NEWHEALTHADVISOR.ORG © 2020, All rights Reserved. Imaging tests. This is partly why it’s important to know how to recognize symptoms of a potential liver issue. Damage to the liver from excessive drinking can lead to ARLD. Therefore, it’s important to know the signs of liver damage before it gets too late. There are many other causes of fluid retention, including kidney problems, hormonal imbalances, heart failure and lymphatic disease. Blood tests. One of the key features associated with cirrhosis, acute liver failure, and many other liver diseases is the presence of abdominal distension. Signs and symptoms of liver disease include: 1. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the most common signs of liver damage is a loss of appetite, making your non-existent hunger pangs something to be weary of. 3. The doctor can help sort out the cause of dark urine. Itchy skin 5. Facts About Liver Disease. Advertisement. Unfortunately, the first signs of liver cancer don't show up until the disease is already quite advanced. What are the Warning Signs of Liver Damage? For this reason, you should know the early signs of liver damage and take care of your liver as much as you possibly can. In an interview with Gastroenterologist & Hepatology, Nora V. Bergasa, MD, described the situation: “Cholestasis is defined as impaired secretion of bile. When the liver is not in great condition, the body must work harder and you will need more rest. There are more than a hundred different kinds of diseases of the liver. And for more ways your body is trying to tell you something's wrong, check out 23 Unexpected Signs Your Heart Is Unhealthy. Of course, drinking too much alcohol increases your risk of developing liver disease. Some of the signs and symptoms of liver disease are the following: [citation needed] Jaundice; Confusion and altered consciousness caused by hepatic encephalopathy. Doctors are not sure exactly how liver damage causes tiredness, but it’s a common symptom. If this happens periodically, it is not dangerous, but if it happens often, seek the advice of your doctor to check out your liver. Liver Cleanse: Separating Fact from Fiction, What You Should Know Before Taking Liver Supplements, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, fatigue, decreased energy, or general weakness, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a condition where your body can’t make enough alpha-1 antitrypsin, which is mostly produced in your liver, feeling sleepy, disoriented, or generally unwell. Dry eyes and mouth can be caused by primary biliary cholangitis, which means the liver is not functioning as it should. The hepatic artery proper splits off the common hepatic artery. As said previously, the liver is responsible for breaking down and processing what we eat, drink, and even touch. Pale stool color, or bloody or tar-colored stool 7. At times, it even affects the brain and lead to mental health problems. Advertisement. It’s not a condition itself. A vaccine for type E is currently only available in China. You may also…, Taking a liver supplement may be tempting, particularly when hearing the claims of supplement manufacturers. Here are eleven signs that could spell trouble for your liver, especially if left unchecked. Swollen stomach: Ascites are caused by an imbalance and a buildup of compounds and fluids in the tissues that can cause liver malfunction. If you live in the United States, you can get vaccinated for hepatitis types A and B. Symptoms of liver disease may vary depending on the underlying cause. Cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, happens when your liver is damaged by inflammation or swelling. Pressure in … Your doctor may then recommend: 1. This is more of a problem with infants, but it can also occur in adults. 15 Signs and Symptoms of Liver Damage. Nausea, a disinterest in food, and weight loss are some early symptoms of liver problems. You can also get ascites from disorders unrelated to the liver, so you should seek medical attention if you develop this symptom. Ascites is one of the early signs of liver damage and basically means that fluid has built up inside the abdominal cavity. Although the loss of appetite is listed as one of the early signs of liver disease, it frequently doesn’t appear until the liver disease has progressed somewhat. If the symptoms persist, especially with other early signs of liver damage, seek medical advice as soon as you can. They can mimic other diseases, such as migraines, food poisoning, vertigo, motion sickness, early pregnancy, depression and vomiting. The main causes are: hepatitis viruses passed from person to person; what we eat and drink (eg. The hepatitis virus can live in the body for years without causing symptoms. Abdominal pain and swelling 3. But over time it may cause: Genetics can play a part in the development of some liver conditions. Sign #1: Abdominal Distension. It helps you digest food, convert it to energy, and store that energy for future use. Keep in mind that many of these symptoms overlap with those of other, less serious conditions. They also transport blood that has been drained from the colon. This is not the full list of early signs of liver damage. In most cases it’s a gradual process. What Organs Grow in the Peritoneal Cavity? This refers to liver failure that happens over a period of days or weeks, rather than months or years. It can also feel like a stabbing sensation. By Angela, Facty Staff. Each has its own set of symptoms. 10 Symptoms of Liver Damage. There are many causes of fatigue, but a common complaint for those with liver disease. While liver cancer refers to any cancer originating in your liver, it’s often used to refer to HCC. The liver is the largest solid organ in your body. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The Liver is one of the most important solid organs in the human body. Jaundice can also mean you have a problem with the pancreas or gallbladder, so you should seek medical attention as soon as you can if you develop this symptom. Jaundice is a yellow coloration to the skin, tongue, fingertips, and eyes. One of the early signs and symptoms of liver damage is fluid retention, especially in the ankles and feet. When food isn't properly digested, it can lead to a lack of appetite and a severe loss of weight. Liver disease (also called hepatic disease) is a type of damage to or disease of the liver. Jaundice is caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the blood and body tissue that the liver normally would get rid of along with old red blood cells. One of the early and obvious signsof liver damage is constantly feeling tired and weak. Fatty liver disease happens when there’s excess fat in the liver. Here are some common early signs. See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms for a long period of time. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions. Thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy. The bilirubin is elevated because the liver cannot get rid of the bilirubin and it is excreted through the kidneys. But there are a few common signs that often point to some kind of liver issue. Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice) 2. Many people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease also have few or no symptoms in its earlier stages. Newly yellow tints in the skin are caused by the liver not releasing toxins which leads to bilirubin accumulation beneath the skin. Read on to learn about symptoms of common liver diseases and how to recognize them. If your skin starts becoming paler or yellowish and your nail tips turn yellow your liver is not performing well and requires help. Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right corner of the abdomen or to the lower right portion of the rib cage is a telling sign of liver damage. Alcoholism leads to irreversible liver damage which may be so fatal in causing death. Feeling Tired. If this becomes severe, you need to seek the medical attention of a doctor. What Happens If Your Liver's Affected by Alcohol? You need your liver for many important bodily functions and cannot live without your liver. Your liver is one of the largest organs in your body and is located in the upper right part of your belly under the ribs. If the liver is failing, you can develop an increase in indigestion and diarrhea. The size of this organ is almost equal to that of a football, and its average weight is almost 1.6kgs. As the liver becomes more severely damaged, more obvious and serious symptoms can develop, such as: yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) swelling in the legs, ankles and feet caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema) swelling in your abdomen caused by a build-up of fluid known as ascites Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body. Both PBC and PSC often develop slowly, but early symptoms sometimes include fatigue and itchy skin. According to the American Liver Foundation, at least 10 percent of Americans have some form of liver disease. Reviewed By Updated: Jun 12, 2020. Like other organs, the liver is also susceptible to various diseases and setbacks. It can mimic kidney problems as well. If you have signs of acute liver failure, seek medical attention right away. An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage. 13. It’s not as common as chronic liver failure, but acute liver failure is very serious. Spotting the signs of liver damage early is crucial for effective treatment. Some people notice mild flu-like symptoms. Typically, consuming too much alcohol is a primary cause of fat build-up in the liver, but those with NAFLD may not drink much alcohol at all. But as it progresses it can cause: Liver failure can be chronic or acute. When it is malfunctioning, there can be pain or tenderness in the affected area. Tissue analysis. The nausea can also be due to ongoing metabolism and changes in digestion. People may feel extremely weak and tired, even if their liver disease is mild. Eat these 11 foods for optimal liver…, Liver cleanses are said to boost your digestive health, but they can actually do more harm than good. When you have a damaged liver, the signs are easy to catch promptly. 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