Hear out! 11 signs that tell your liver is crying for help

Just like your hands and legs, your internal organs function without a break inside your body. However, we often overlook the fact that their well-being needs as much care as your skin and limbs. While an unhealthy gut may show its signs, the liver is one of the silent organs. So much so that even when people approach liver damage or failure, its cry for help goes unheard.

Your liver performs a major role in digestion, nutrient synthesis, and metabolic functions. Located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, the liver filters the blood coming from the digestive tract, before fusing it into the rest of your body. Another function of it is to detoxify chemicals and metabolize drugs.

When liver function declines, your body will start showing signs of the damage. But, many of us fail to recognise them. To know more about these alarming signals, we spoke to Dr Sumit Bhatia, Senior Consultant, Gastroenterology at Paras Hospitals, Gurugram.

Early symptoms of liver damage

1. Discoloration of eyes and skin (jaundice)

Poor liver health leads to discoloration of the eyes. Too much deposition of yellow substance in red blood can lead to yellow eyes over time. If your body shows symptoms such as jaundice, your liver damage must have reached an advanced stage.

2. Nausea and vomiting

The human liver is capable of eliminating toxic substances. Therefore, frequent nausea and vomiting are early symptoms of liver disease, which should not be taken lightly.

3. Swelling and pain of abdomen

Liver problems often interrupt the blood flow of the body. Hence, this can put pressure on the intestine and other parts resulting in pain and swelling in the abdominal region. If you notice sudden abdominal swelling which doesn’t fade away on its own, contact a doctor immediately.

4. Pale (clay-coloured) stools

When the liver does not produce an adequate amount of bile or if its flow is blocked in some way, your stool can become clay-coloured.

5. Dark coloured urine

The colour of urine tells a lot about your health. Dark urine indicates dehydration but can also mean the presence of harmful substances in the body that can indicate liver problems.

6. Swelling of feet

An unhealthy liver can cause swelling in ankles and feet. So, if you experience unreasonable swelling on your feet, it may be due to an underlying liver problem. Liver disease can also occur genetically.

7. Itchy skin

High level of bile salt in the liver can cause itching of the skin and should not be ignored. It can be an early sign of liver disease.

8. Loss of appetite or weight

During the liver problem, the body loses its capacity to break and digest nutrients, and you may not feel hungry as usual. Loss of appetite will make you feel sluggish throughout the day.

9. Fatigue

One of the most common and early symptoms of liver disease is unnecessary tiredness or fatigue all day long. There can be other reasons as well, but if this condition stays for longer, consult your doctor.

10. Easy bruisability

If the liver does not function properly, you lose appetite, and your liver stops making proteins that help remove blood clots. This condition makes you susceptible to easy bruising and bleeding.

11. Blood in vomiting or black colored stools

The chronic symptom of liver disease is a sure sign of declining liver health. If you’re experiencing any such conditions, it needs immediate medical attention.

These are some red signs of liver problems you shouldn’t ignore.If you have any of these symptoms, consult your doctor as soon as possible.