7 warning signs of liver disease

Jaundice, bloating, itchy skin, swollen ankles, and prolonged fatigue are common symptoms often seen in people with liver disease.

There are more than 100 different diseases related to the liver, caused by many reasons such as infection, drinking too much alcohol, beer, self-medication, obesity, cancer.

Most liver diseases damage the organ in similar ways, leading to similar symptoms. Here are some signs that your liver is in trouble.

Jaundice: This condition can occur in the whites of the eyes or the skin. The signs are more obvious when the liver is damaged extensively. Jaundice is often caused by a yellow substance from red blood cells called bilirubin accumulating in the body. Normally, the liver is responsible for removing bilirubin, but when the liver is damaged, this function is impaired, causing bilirubin levels to increase.

Itchy skin: People with some long-term liver diseases often have itchy skin symptoms, which may or may not be accompanied by a rash. Itching affects the quality of life, causing difficulty sleeping and fatigue. People with this condition should see a doctor, who can do tests if necessary.

Liver disease often causes itchy skin. Photo: Freepik — Liver disease often causes itchy skin. Illustration: *Freepik*

Swelling of the abdomen (ascites): This condition is common in people with liver scarring. Scarring blocks blood flow to the liver, increasing pressure on surrounding blood vessels, forcing fluid to seep out and accumulate in the abdomen. The abdomen above the navel is often tender, and ascites is sometimes caused by infection, which requires antibiotic treatment.

Swollen legs or ankles : In some people with ascites, the legs and ankles also swell due to fluid buildup. The person may need to eat less salt or take diuretics to reduce fluid buildup.

Pale stools and dark urine: The liver produces bile salts, which give stools their dark color. If the liver does not produce bile normally or if blood flow from the liver is blocked, stools often appear pale, clay-colored. Pale stools are often accompanied by jaundice. Excess bilirubin causes jaundice and unusually dark urine.

Chronic fatigue: Common in people with liver disease, due to toxins accumulating in the body, affecting brain function. People with liver disease may have difficulty concentrating and are more forgetful than normal people.

Easy bruising or bleeding: If the liver is not functioning properly, the skin bruises easily because the blood's ability to clot is affected. Even a small cut can cause massive bleeding.

In the early stages, liver disease has no obvious symptoms, which often become apparent when liver damage becomes more severe.

Everyone should prevent the disease early by changing their lifestyle, eating healthy, losing weight, adding foods rich in vitamin A, and exercising at least 30 minutes a day. Limit alcohol and do not take medication without a doctor's prescription.

Anh Chi (According to WebMD)

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