2023-07-29 09:47:00
Whether alcohol, fatty food or medication: the liver detoxifies the body day following day. A lot has to happen before it fails its service. You should be aware of these alarm signals.
The liver plays an important role in breaking down harmful and toxic substances. It is a true repair artist and can even regrow. However, if the organ is permanently overstrained, there is a risk of serious consequential damage.
The liver suffers in silence for a long time. Since it has no nerve cells, there is usually no pain. This makes it difficult for the patient to detect liver damage at an early stage. Nevertheless, there are a number of specific and non-specific symptoms that indicate possible liver disease. Read here which warning signs you should pay attention to.
What does the liver do?
The liver is the central metabolic organ in our body and at the same time our largest internal organ. It regulates the fat and sugar metabolism as well as the vitamin and mineral balance. It also plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body by filtering toxins out of the blood. The liver produces almost a liter of bile per day, with which it secretes metabolic products through the intestines and supports fat digestion.
Red flag #1: Yellowing of the skin and eyeballs
The best known and most obvious feature of liver disease is what is known as jaundice. It manifests itself in a discoloration of the skin, the eyeballs and the mucous membranes. The yellow color is caused by accumulation of yellow bile (bilirubin) in the blood and tissues. However, jaundice is not an early symptom, but usually only develops in the course of liver disease.
Common causes of jaundice include viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and blockages in the bile ducts. Serious diseases such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer can also cause too much bilirubin to build up in the blood. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted immediately in the event of discolouration of the skin and eyes.
Red flag #2: Dark brown urine
If you don’t drink enough fluids, your urine will usually be darker than normal. Therefore, brown urine does not necessarily indicate liver disease. However, if sufficient drinking does not lead to this, the suspicion of liver disease is obvious.
Because dark brown urine can be an indication of an excess of bilirubin in the urine. Both diseases of the liver and the gallbladder can be behind this and should be clarified by a doctor.
Warning signal 3: Feeling of pressure in the upper right abdomen
More than every fourth German has a fatty liver. It can increase significantly, which initially leads to a feeling of tension and pressure in the right upper abdomen in the area above the liver. Dull pain can come later. Flatulence or diarrhea can also be signs of fatty liver.
Red flag #5: Fatigue and weakness
Fatigue can have many causes, but is also often observed in connection with liver diseases. Why this is so has not yet been scientifically clarified.
If the state of tiredness lasts longer and cannot be explained, a doctor should therefore be consulted. A thorough examination and a check of the liver values rule out a possible disease of the detoxification organ.
Warning sign #6: Chronic itching
Liver disease can cause excruciating itching all over the body. It is caused by bile acids and other bile components building up as a result of congestion in the blood and then being deposited in the skin.
Occasionally, so-called scarlatiniform exanthems occur. These are a large number of small red pustules on the skin. Joint pain, body aches and pain in the legs can also become noticeable.
Red flag #7: Liver Asterisks
Star-shaped, spider-like veins on the head, neck, chest, or arms can indicate a diseased liver. These small spider veins are therefore also known as liver asterisks. On the face, they often show up first on pressure points under the glasses.
Experts suspect that liver asterisks are caused by vascular-active substances that are typical of liver diseases. However, since liver stars might also be an early indication of serious diseases, these skin changes should be clarified by a doctor in any case. After all, these skin changes appear in around 90 percent of all patients with liver cirrhosis.
Red flag #8: Indigestion and bloating
An important function of the liver is the production of bile to aid in digestion. It supports the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine and is very important for fat digestion.
Impaired liver function can therefore lead to digestive problems. If bile production is disturbed, excessive air and gas accumulation can cause flatulence. Hypersensitivity to fatty foods and alcohol often increases.
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