Cirrhosis of the liver affects a large number of Nigerians. The consequences, whether caused by alcohol or not, are severe. Some patients, however, may not realise their liver is damaged at first....CONTINUE READING
The liver is capable of mending damaged cells in most cases. However, these cells never recover after sustained damage, which can lead to cirrhosis. The signs and symptoms of liver disease will become more severe once this occurs.
Many of these symptoms (fatigue, nausea, and a loss of appetite, for example) are so non-specific that many people may not notice them at first, according to Mayo Clinic.
Here are 5 telltale symptoms that your liver is not working properly.
1. Itchy skin.
Unless there is a rash, you are unlikely to take itchy skin seriously. Itchy skin, on the other hand, might occur when bile is present in the bloodstream as a result of liver injury.
Bile stagnates and leaks back into the blood stream when your bile duct is clogged. This builds up beneath the skin and causes irritation.
2. Bruising and bleeding.
If you bruise or bleed readily after getting hurt, it could be a sign that your liver isn’t in good shape. Proteins required for blood clotting are no longer synthesised in adequate quantities.
3. Red palms.
Palmar erythema, or red, burning, itchy hand palms, might be an indication of liver disease. The cause of this illness is aberrant hormone levels in the blood.
4. Swelling of feet.
If your liver isn’t functioning properly, fluid might build up in your legs.
Legs swell as a result of this. Due to increased pressure in the portal vein, fluid might develop in the legs (edoema) (ascites).
The liver’s failure to produce enough blood proteins, such as albumin, can also cause edoema and ascites.
5. Ascites.
If your liver isn’t performing properly, fluid might build up in your abdomen, producing abdominal distension.
Ascites is a fluid buildup in the belly (abdominal) cavity caused by fluid leaks from the surface of the liver and intestine. Ascites from liver disease is commonly linked to other liver disease symptoms including portal hypertension. One of the symptoms of ascites is a bloated belly.