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Symptoms Of Liver Damage: First Signs When You Might Be Having A Liver Damage

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2020

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The pain in the abdominal area accompanied by swelling can occur due to numbers of reasons such as overeating or gas between chests and pelvic. An inflammation or disease related to kidneys, spleen, liver or gallbladder is also associated with a crampy, achy, dull, intermittent or sharp pain in the abdomen.

Many cases are seen with swollen abdomen where fluids build up inside the abdomen, known as ascites, however, this generally occurs because of problems related to the liver.

Swelling in the legs and ankles

You may experience swollen leg and ankles because of the retention of fluids which does not come back to the upper body. Such condition is very painful and can create difficulties in walking as the skin over the leg are tightened out and stretched.

This type of puffiness occurring in the lower extremities is a warning sign for liver or kidney disease and needs to be confirmed with proper diagnosis followed by the required treatment.

Itchy skin

An intense itchy sensation can be another sign for liver problems as when the liver metabolizes the red blood cells, by-product bile is generated. If there is no or less excretion of bile pigments then they get deposited in the skin as well as they circulate within the body along with blood. This condition also arises if the bile duct in the liver gets destroyed. Itchy and dry skin is usually an indicator of cirrhosis of the liver.

Dark urine color

Generally, straw or yellow coloured urine is observed in a healthy person but when the colour of urine changes to a dark colour, it is indicating problems within the body. Liver damage or disease can be a basic cause behind dar coloured urine.

Yellow pigments generally secreted by liver cells are produced in high numbers and presence of such pigments in urine making its colour darker than the normal urine. Further diagnosis of such condition is recommended to prevent uncertain circumstances.

Pale stool color, or bloody or tar-colored stool

During the metabolism of red blood cells, liver cells secrete yellow colour pigments known as bilirubin and biliverdin. Damage to the liver increases such type of pigment levels in the body which becomes noticeable in the urine, stool, skin, eyes and nails.

Hence, people observe bloody or tar coloured stool due to shredding or bleeding in the upper digestive system such as the liver. The pale colour of stool is an indication that a significant amount of bile is not reaching to stool for elimination.

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Chronic fatigue

As per the study published by the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2006, it has been proved that a person with liver damage experiences chronic fatigue. A person may also lose his ability to perform physical and mental activities. A feeling of tiredness or sleepiness is sometimes felt by the person. In liver damage, chronic fatigue is seen because of changes in neurotransmission within the brain.

Nausea or vomiting

Being a part of the upper digestive system, any damage to the liver causes symptoms like nausea or vomiting. Such symptoms are also associated with many other health problems which may be acute, short-lived or prolonged diseases.

Problems with the upper digestive system including the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas and gallbladder can be diagnosed with the help of frequency of feeling of nausea as well as the occurrence of vomiting.

Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite is generally an advanced sign of liver damage as the body starts feeling full by consuming even a small quantity of food. Also, a feeling of nausea does not allow the food to be eaten and indicates problems with the liver, stomach or other digestive organs.

A desire to eat something is reduced and this condition is medically termed as anorexia. Anorexia can occur either temporarily or for a prolonged period of time. If it is prolonged then it can result in weight loss. A persistent loss of appetite should be informed to healthcare professional to determine its underlying cause.

Tendency to bruise easily

The liver performs many functions out of which the synthesis of plasma proteins like albumins is very essential for the body to recover from any injury. Normally, in older people the healing power of skin is reduced due to skin thinning but if such symptom is observed in adulthood or at a younger age that may indicate liver damage. The liver damage reduces the concentration or availability of proteins that are needed to clot the blood after injury and body face tendency to bruise easily.faces

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician
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