From producing bile juice for the digestion of food to removing toxins from the blood, our liver has many vital functions to play in a day.
Located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, the liver also takes an active part in the body’s metabolic and synthetic functions.
So, any deformities in the functioning of the organ can lead to disturbance in the working of the entire body, and the signs can be visible in different ways.
If left untreated, the condition can lead to liver failure, resulting in organ transplantation or even death.
Identifying the signs of liver malfunctions at an early stage can help to take appropriate actions at the right time.
Here are five warning signs that your liver is not working properly.
1. Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition in which the skin and the white portion of the eyes get a yellow tint. Even the urine appears dark yellow. These are telltale signs of liver damage and a subtle hint of other underlying conditions. Jaundice may occur when the liver fails to efficiently process red blood cells resulting in the formation of bilirubin, which is a kind of pigment. A healthy liver absorbs the bilirubin and converts it to bile, which takes part in the process of digestion and the remaining is removed through stool.
2. Itchy skin
Any trouble in the normal functioning of the liver leads to the accumulation of high levels of bile salt under the skin. This eventually leads to itchy and flaky skin. Skin issues that develop randomly are generally caused due to liver issues. They are the first and telltale signs of the condition. However, not everyone who suffers from the problem of itchy skin has a high level of bile. It can also be due to other conditions.
3. Loss of appetite
One of the functions of the bile juice produced by the liver is to help in the digestion of food. Naturally, when the liver does not function properly, it disturbs the functioning of the liver, leading to loss of appetite. This further results in weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss.
4. Frequent bleeding and bruising
If you get bruised easily or if your wounds take time to heal, consult your doctor to ensure that your liver is working fine. Bleeding or bruising after an injury is caused due to a lack of specific proteins needed for clotting blood. The required protein is produced by the liver, which can be disturbed due to underlying liver conditions. In some cases, people even vomit blood or notice blood in the stool when suffering from liver issues.
5. Lack of concentration
When the liver fails to filter toxins from the blood, it starts hindering other functions of the body. The signs of toxin build-up can also manifest in your memory and mental health. Lack of concentration, confusion, memory loss, mood swings, and personality changes, all are signs of underlying liver issues.
Other signs to look out for
Apart from these prominent signs of liver damage, there are some other signs as well that could indicate any irregularity in the functions of the organ. Here are some other signs you must look out for:
- Pain in your upper right abdomen
- Abdominal swelling
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Disorientation or confusion
- Sleepiness
- Musty or sweet odour
- Tremors
