The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It is responsible for removing toxins from the blood, metabolizing fats and carbohydrates, and producing the essential substances that allow other parts of the body to function.
And if the liver isn’t working properly, it can cause serious, even fatal, health problems. According to health experts, there are specific signs that indicate liver damage, according to a report published by Eat this Not that.
swelling
According to the Cleveland Clinic, fluid retention is one of the most common symptoms of liver damage.
About 50% of people with cirrhosis have cirrhosis, the most severe form of liver disease in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue.
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Fluid retention can also cause swelling in your arms, legs, or abdomen. This occurs when the liver is no longer able to produce albumin, a protein that prevents fluid from leaking from blood vessels into tissues.
This leaky fluid can accumulate in the ankles, legs, and abdomen, causing painful swelling.
jaundice
The second sign is jaundice, which is a yellowing of the eyes or skin, which is another common sign of liver damage.
It occurs when the liver cannot optimally filter bilirubin, a natural chemical produced by red blood cells, from the blood.
It can also cause the eyes and skin to turn yellow.
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dark urine
In parallel, dark urine (it may be orange, amber, or brown), is another sign that the damaged liver has allowed bilirubin to build up in the blood.
And if you notice that your urine is darker than usual, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor as soon as possible.
stool type
To some people with liver damage may notice changes in their stools. They may be lighter than usual, from yellow to terracotta, or even gray or white.
This may indicate that the damaged liver has a problem processing bile, which turns stool brown.
Floating stools can be a sign that the damaged liver is no longer able to process fats optimally.
Expressive hepatitis
stomach ache
Another sign is abdominal pain, such as a dull ache, throbbing or stabbing sensation in the upper right part of your abdomen, just below your ribs.
Swelling from fluid retention (known as ascites) and an enlarged spleen and liver from cirrhosis can cause abdominal discomfort.
