When the liver in your body begins to malfunction or lose the capacity to carry out its functions effectively, there are some signs the body gives to let you know that it needs urgent medical attention in order to receive proper treatment....CONTINUE READING
According to Healthline, the liver is one of the most important organs in the human body that helps to detoxify harmful substances like toxins, manufacture proteins, and produce bile, which helps in the breakdown and absorption of cholesterol, bilirubin fats, and vitamin K, which is used in the manufacturing of chemical compounds called coagulants that promote the clotting of blood.
However, there are some things we consume or do that increase the amount of toxins and other harmful substances in the body, which can harm the liver and impact its functionalities.
When the liver becomes affected, there are visible signs that you will notice in your body that make you aware of the need to go for a liver function test and receive urgent medical care and treatment. In this article, I want to briefly discuss the signs one after another.
1. One of the signs that indicate you need to go for a liver function test is jaundice, which is a medical condition that involves the yellowing of the eyes due to a high proportion of bilirubin content in the blood vessels of the eyes. In the case of illnesses such as hepatitis B or cirrhosis, a yellowing of the eyes can also occur because the diseases attack the liver and hinder its functions.
2. Another sign you should take very seriously and go for a liver function test when you notice it is when the legs or ankles swell up, which can be as a result of too much alcohol intake and fat deposits, which results in obesity. You should immediately consult your physician when you see your legs or ankles swelling abnormally.
3. When you use the toilet and discover that the colour of your faeces is not black but pale, it’s a sign that you need to go for a medical check up to know your liver function status. The liver produces bile which, when reacted with some compounds, forms bile salts, which are responsible for the black coloration of stools.
4. When bilirubin becomes stored in the liver in high proportion without being metabolized properly, it leaks and affects your urine, changing its color from the normal white to brown or dark orange. When you notice a strange change in the color of your urine as mentioned above, you should immediately go for a liver function test.
5. When the liver comes under attack and malfunctions, you may start experiencing constant fatigue or tiredness in the body, which may indicate that you need medical attention.
6. For people who don’t engage in the habit of drinking too much alcohol but by some unhealthy means accumulate excess fat in the cells of their liver, the cells become affected, and this can result in a medical condition known as non-alcoholic fatty disease that makes the palms of the hands have red spots or turn reddish in color. So, when you notice red spots on your palms, you should quickly go for a liver function test.
