Signs and Symptoms of Liver Disease
The liver is the largest and one of the most essential organs present inside the human body. It has many functions such as the formation of blood clotting factors, triglycerides, proteins as well as cholesterol. It also plays an important role in bile production and synthesis of glycogen. It is present on the right side of the belly in the human body. Liver disease is also known as hepatic disease. These diseases are of different types such as fatty liver disease and cirrhosis and are mainly caused by viruses (hepatitis A, B, and C), drugs or too much alcohol. Any disturbance in the function of the liver causes different types of illnesses. Then these illnesses don’t let the liver to perform its designated functions properly. The numerous roles of the liver are affected by a liver disorder that has very harmful effects on the health and nutritional status of the body.
Some Important Functions of the Liver
- It removes the toxic byproducts of different types of medication from the body.
- It also produces the most important proteins needed by the body for its proper functioning.
- It also produces substances that regulate blood clotting in the body.
- It also helps the body to fight against numerous types of infections by removing viruses as well as bacteria from the body.
- It also produces energy by metabolizing the nutrients present in the food.
- Bile, which is an important compound to digest fats and to absorb Vitamins A, B, C and D is also produced by the liver.
- It also prevents a shortage of nutrients by storing minerals, vitamins, and sugar.
Is Liver Functioning Normally or Not?
Here are some signs and symptoms with the help of which a person can detect the liver disorder:-
1. Super-Itchy Skin
Chronic disease of the liver known as Primary biliary cholangitis which destroys bile present inside the liver. As a result of which skin starts becoming dry. During its initial stage, it is very difficult to detect this disorder because it does not have noticeable symptoms. But if the skin remains dry for a very long time then the suspected person must consult with a doctor.
2. Increase in Weight
As we have discussed above that the liver is responsible for the digestion of fats in the body. But due to some disorder in the liver, healthy tissues of the liver are being replaced by scars tissues which block the flow of blood to different organs through the liver. This also causes improper functioning of organs in the body.
3. Weight Loss
In some cases, patients start gaining weight, while in some cases patients starts losing their weight. This usually occurs in the case of Liver Cirrhosis which is also known as the red flag of Hepatitis-C. This viral infection causes inflammation in the liver.
4. Redness of Palms
This disorder is often seen in individuals who barely drink or who avoid alcohol. This disease is commonly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in which too much fat gets stored in the liver cells.
5. Irregular Pattern of Sleep
Many things can disturb the pattern of patient’s sleep, but according to reports of a health organization, liver cirrhosis can cause restlessness in a patient. Due to the pain in the liver, the patient does not have a good & sound sleep at night.
6. Memory Loss
If the liver doesn’t work properly then the harmful toxins of medications start accumulating in the body. These harmful toxins after some time start depositing in the brain which is known as hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatic encephalopathy is a severe disease that can lead to brain damage or loss of memory.
7. Enlargement of Breast in men
Yes it sounds weird but it is the most shocking symptom of liver cirrhosis. Due to an imbalance between hormones such as estrogen as well as testosterone, gynecomastia occurs which is characterized by excessive growth of breast tissue in males.
8. Pale Skin
Due to elevation in the amount of bilirubin, yellowing of skins takes place. Bilirubin is a yellow color pigment that is secreted by the liver in the body. When the liver does not work properly then it leads to the increased amount of bilirubin into the body and skin start turning into yellow color but many times discoloration of skin also takes place which occurs mainly in the case of cirrhosis and Hepatitis B.
9. Dark Urine
This is one of the most easily detectable symptoms with the help of which a person can easily detect that he or she is suffering from liver disease. Yellowing of urine is also due to an increased amount of bilirubin in the body which also causes yellowing of eyes and skin.
10. Body Ache
Primary biliary cholangitis, which is responsible for the itchy skin can also cause pain in joints, bones, and muscles, etc. Not only pain this disorder can also cause dryness of mouth and eyes too. These are the initial symptoms and a person should consult with a doctor and tell him about these symptoms to prevent the progression of this disease.
11. Chills All the Time
Due to a halt in the supply or decreased supply of bile to the organs, the person may have chills all the time. This may also be the sign of cholestasis during liver disease.
12. Swollen Legs and Ankles
Most of the liver diseases occur mainly due to drugs and excessive consumption of alcohol. Symptoms of liver disease also include swelling in legs as well as ankle. If puffiness in legs or ankles remains for more than 3-4 days then the person must visit a doctor.
13. Bruises Easily
Bruising of old people skin is mainly because of one reason that is, with passage of time skin becomes thinner due to which it can get easily bruise but if marks are showing up on body and there are no specific reasons behind them then the person must consult a doctor because it may be the symptoms of liver damage.
Also, Read about Ayurvedic Treatment of Liver Diseases.
