Experts: 5 symptoms of liver damage

by time news

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It is responsible for removing toxins from the blood, metabolizing fats and carbohydrates, and producing essential substances that allow other parts of the body to function. If the liver is not working properly, it can cause serious, even fatal, health problems. So, to find out how the liver tells the body that it is in poor condition, the specialized medical website “eat this not that” published 5 symptoms of this:

1 – fluid retention
According to the Cleveland Clinic, fluid retention is the most common symptom of liver damage. About 50% of people with cirrhosis suffer from it; It is the most severe form of liver disease, in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. Fluid retention can cause swelling in your arms, legs or abdomen. This occurs when the liver cannot produce albumin; It is a protein that prevents fluid from leaking from blood vessels into tissues. This leaky fluid can also build up in the ankles, legs and abdomen, causing painful swelling.

2- jaundice
Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin) is another common sign of liver damage. It occurs when the liver is not optimally able to filter bilirubin; It is a natural chemical produced by red blood cells from the blood. This can cause the eyes and skin to turn yellow.
“Jaundice is usually the first, and sometimes the only, sign of liver disease,” says Johns Hopkins Medicine.

3- dark urine
Dark urine (it may be orange, amber, or brown) is another sign that the damaged liver has allowed bilirubin to build up in the blood. If you notice that your urine is darker than usual, it is a good idea to contact your doctor as soon as possible.

4- Pale or floating stools
Some people with liver damage may notice changes in their stools. It may be lighter than usual from yellow to terracotta or even gray or white. This may indicate that the damaged liver has a problem processing bile, which turns stool brown. Floating stools can be a sign that the damaged liver is no longer able to process fats optimally.

5- Abdominal pain
The liver is located in the upper right side of the abdomen, just behind and below the rib cage. The damaged liver may swell, pressing on nearby tissues and causing pain.
“Most people with liver disease report abdominal pain,” says the Cleveland Clinic. This may feel like a dull, throbbing or stabbing sensation in the upper right part of your abdomen, just below your ribs. Swelling from fluid retention (known as ascites) and an enlarged spleen and liver from cirrhosis can cause abdominal discomfort.


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