Introduction
If you’re concerned about your liver health, it’s important to be aware of the signs that your liver may have been damaged. According to physicians, there are certain symptoms that can indicate that your liver is not functioning properly. Eating the right foods and avoiding certain unhealthy foods can help protect your liver from damage. In this article, we’ll discuss the signs that your liver has been damaged and provide tips on what to eat and what to avoid to keep your liver healthy.
Signs Your Liver Has Been Damaged, Say Physicians
Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body, and it’s essential to keep it healthy. Unfortunately, there are many things that can damage your liver, from drinking too much alcohol to taking certain medications. If you think your liver may have been damaged, it’s important to speak to your doctor right away. Here are some signs that your liver may have been damaged, according to physicians.
1. Yellowing of the Skin and Eyes
One of the most common signs of liver damage is jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes. This is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that is produced by the liver. If you notice that your skin or eyes have taken on a yellowish hue, it’s important to speak to your doctor right away.
2. Abdominal Pain
Another sign of liver damage is abdominal pain. This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, and it can be located in the upper right side of the abdomen. If you experience abdominal pain, it’s important to speak to your doctor to determine the cause.
3. Dark Urine
Dark urine is another sign of liver damage. This is caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the urine, which gives it a dark color. If you notice that your urine is darker than usual, it’s important to speak to your doctor.
4. Fatigue
Fatigue is another common sign of liver damage. This can range from mild tiredness to extreme exhaustion, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. If you’re feeling unusually tired, it’s important to speak to your doctor to determine the cause.
5. Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite is another sign of liver damage. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including a buildup of toxins in the body. If you’re not feeling hungry, it’s important to speak to your doctor to determine the cause.
Eat This, Not That
If you think your liver may have been damaged, it’s important to make changes to your diet. Eating foods that are high in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can help protect your liver. It’s also important to avoid processed foods, alcohol, and foods that are high in saturated fat. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help keep your liver healthy.
According to the American Liver Foundation, there are over 100 types of liver disease—and they are killing millions of Americans every year. Your liver is absolutely crucial to your health and vitality, performing the essential function of filtering more than 250 gallons of blood every 24 hours. “If your liver stopped working, toxins would accumulate, you couldn’t digest your food and medications would never leave your body,” says Saleh Alqahtani, M.B.Ch.B., M.S, director of clinical liver research for Johns Hopkins Medicine. Here are signs you are suffering from liver damage. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
While liver damage can be a genetic issue, there are many lifestyle factors that lead to liver failure—including but not limited to obesity, alcohol abuse, unprotected sex, and type 2 diabetes. Over time, liver damage can lead to scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver cancer and liver failure—but if treatment is administered early enough, the liver may heal. It is crucial to be aware of the signs of liver damage in order to treat it early.
Jaundice is a symptom of liver disease or cirrhosis—a liver that is damaged cannot get rid of bilirubin, the substance which causes eyes and skin to take on a yellowish tone. “High levels of bilirubin may be attributed to inflammation, or other abnormalities of the liver cells, or blockage of the bile ducts,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Sometimes, jaundice is caused by the breakdown of a large number of red blood cells, which can occur in newborns. Jaundice is usually the first sign, and sometimes the only sign, of liver disease.”
While fatigue by itself is not necessarily a sign of liver damage, it should never be ignored. “If you have tiredness, brain fog, lack of motivation, among other symptoms, you should first have a thorough evaluation with a medical doctor,” says Marcelo Campos, MD. “Anemia, sleep apnea, autoimmune diseases, infections, other hormonal impairments, mental illnesses, heart and lung problems, and kidney and liver diseases are just some among many medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.”
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As with colorectal cancer, liver damage is linked to unexplained weight loss. “Because the liver plays a key role in the digestive system, cirrhosis and cancer in the liver can both cause you to lose your appetite and you may lose weight,” according to the Cancer Council of New South Wales.
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Most people with liver disease report abdominal pain. Pain in your liver itself can feel like a dull throbbing pain or a stabbing sensation in your right upper abdomen just under your ribs. General abdominal pain and discomfort can also be related to swelling from fluid retention and enlargement of your spleen and liver caused by cirrhosis.”
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If you are experiencing any symptoms of liver failure, seek medical attention immediately. “You don’t want to turn yellow with jaundice or feel pain in your upper right abdomen because those are signs your liver is already very sick,” says Dr. Alqahtani. “It is far better to stop liver disease before it gets too serious.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.