Introduction
If you’re concerned about your liver health, it’s important to be aware of the warning signs that could indicate you have liver trouble right now. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can help keep your liver healthy and functioning properly. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the warning signs of liver trouble and provide tips on what to eat and what to avoid to keep your liver healthy.
Warning Signs You Have Liver Trouble Right Now — Eat This Not That
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s possible that you have liver trouble and should seek medical attention right away:
- Unexplained fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Itchy skin
- Dark urine
- Pale stools
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to make lifestyle changes to help your liver heal. Eating the right foods can help your liver recover and function properly. Here are some foods to eat if you have liver trouble:
- Leafy greens
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Berries
- Nuts and seeds
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Avocados
- Citrus fruits
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
On the other hand, there are some foods that you should avoid if you have liver trouble. These include:
- Processed meats
- Refined carbohydrates
- Fried foods
- Sugary drinks
- Alcohol
- High-fat dairy products
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of liver trouble, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can help your liver heal and function properly.
Your liver works hard to protect you from sickness and does a lot of heavy lifting to ensure you’re healthy, so when your liver isn’t functioning properly it affects your overall health. “Your liver is responsible for several duties everyday: helping to process what you eat and drink, storing nutrients such as vitamins and glucose and removing excess toxins and much, much more. Weighing nearly 3 pounds in adults, the liver performs over 500, yes, 500 functions vital to our everyday lives,” Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, Urgent Care Medical Director and Physician, Carbon Health and Saint Mary’s Hospital tells us. There are warning signals your liver tries to convey to you to let you know there’s a problem and here’s five signs you shouldn’t ignore, according to Dr. Curry-Winchell. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss Already Had COVID? These Symptoms May “Never Go Away”.
Dr. Curry-Winchell says, “There are several things that can affect your liver including infections, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and even your genetics. Other factors include heavy alcohol use, obesity, exposure to certain chemicals or toxins and more.”
Dr. Curry-Winchell shares, “To keep your liver in good shape, I often remind my patients to drink alcohol in moderation, use medications wisely, maintain a healthy weight and have regular wellness checkups with your doctor.”
Dr. Curry-Winchell explains, “This is a condition which causes the whites of the eyes and skin to become yellow due to buildup of something called bilirubin which is a yellow substance formed when red blood cells in your blood break down. Now making bilirubin is a normal activity your body does every day. However, when the liver can’t properly process red blood cells as they break down it causes a buildup of bilirubin resulting in jaundice.”
According to Dr. Curry-Winchell, “If you’re noticing blood in your stool or are experiencing rectal bleeding your liver could have signs of scarring (cirrhosis). When your liver is healthy blood moves fast throughout your body and smoothly. When there’s scarring, your blood’s journey can be a bit rough traveling through other portions of your body causing bleeding.”
“When your liver can’t take out the toxins in your body, those toxins can build up in the brain causing memory issues including confusion, tiredness and in more severe cases coma,” says Dr. Curry-Winchell.
Dr. Curry-Winchell explains, “In about half the people suffering liver issues, we notice an accumulation of fluids in their abdomen or in their legs. This happens because blood pressure in your liver veins increases and leaks blood into the tissue.”
“The liver is essential to processing daily nutrients you get with eating and drinking,” Dr. Curry-Winchell states. “When it’s unable to function your body struggles to get the nourishment it needs and leads to malnourishment.” 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.
Heather Newgen