Your liver does a lot of work every day. It helps clean toxins from your blood, process nutrients from food, and make bile that helps your body digest fat.
Because the liver does so many jobs, liver problems can affect many parts of your body. The problem is that liver disease often starts quietly. Many people don’t notice symptoms right away.
But over time, your body may begin to show warning signs. Learning to recognize the signs your liver is suffering can help you know when something is wrong.
These are some of the most common signs your liver is suffering.
Jaundice happens when bilirubin builds up in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance made when old red blood cells break down.
A healthy liver removes bilirubin from the body. When the liver can’t do this well, your skin or the whites of your eyes may look yellow.
Urine that looks much darker than normal can be a warning sign.
This can happen when bilirubin builds up in the body and leaves through the kidneys instead of the liver.
Bile made by the liver gives stool its normal brown color.
If bile flow slows or becomes blocked, stool may look pale, gray, or clay colored.
Ongoing itching without a rash can sometimes be linked to liver problems.
This may happen when bile builds up in the skin because bile is not flowing normally.
Your liver makes proteins that help your blood clot.
When the liver is not working well, your body may not make enough of these proteins. This can cause bruising or bleeding more easily than normal.
Some people with liver disease develop small blood vessels that look like spiders.
These may appear on the chest, neck, or face. Doctors call them spider angiomas.
Red palms can sometimes be a sign of liver disease.
Doctors call this condition palmar erythema. It can happen when hormone levels change because of liver problems.
Serious liver disease can cause fluid to collect in the abdomen.
This condition is called ascites. It can cause swelling, pressure, or discomfort in the stomach area.
Liver disease can also cause fluid buildup in the lower body. This swelling often appears in the legs, feet, or ankles. Doctors call this edema.
Your liver helps remove toxins from the blood. When the liver cannot do this well, toxins may build up and affect the brain. This condition is called hepatic encephalopathy.
Symptoms may include:
Bile helps your body digest fat. The liver makes bile and sends it into the digestive system.
If bile flow slows down, your body may not absorb fat properly. This can cause greasy or oily stools. Doctors call this steatorrhea.
Before these more recognizable signs appear, liver problems may cause general symptoms that are easy to miss. These may include:
These symptoms can happen with many health problems. Because of this, people often ignore them or think they are simple stomach issues.
But if the symptoms continue, it’s important to pay attention.
The good news is that the liver can often repair itself. Early damage may improve when doctors find and treat the cause.
This is especially true for conditions such as:
Your liver can handle a lot of stress, but it can’t fix every problem on its own. When liver problems go untreated, they can slowly get worse.
If you notice possible signs your liver is suffering, it is important not to ignore them. Symptoms like constant fatigue, swelling, yellowing of the skin, or changes in urine or stool can be warning signs of liver problems. If you notice these symptoms, it may be time to talk with a doctor.
Many liver problems improve when doctors find the cause early. Conditions like fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and medication-related liver injury can often be treated with proper care.
If you live in San Antonio or its surrounding areas and are noticing possible signs your liver is suffering, don’t ignore them. Schedule an appointment to find out what is causing your symptoms and get the care you need.
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