Liver disease has no symptoms. A doctor’s office visit is the only way to detect it in its early stages. But if an individual can understand what to look for, they can catch it early and watch out for their overall well-being.
Because liver problems are often caused by other diseases like Hepatitis or high cholesterol, understanding how these conditions present themselves may help individuals recognize the warning signs of a liver problem .
Liver disease isn’t something that should be taken lightly; it can turn into serious health complications and even death if not caught and treated quickly and appropriately. Liver disease doesn’t have any specific early signs, but some of its symptoms mimic those of other conditions.
Liver disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Symptoms can be vague and few, but most people have no idea they have it because doctors usually don’t test for it in their initial check-up. So it’s important to catch liver disease early.
The earliest indicator of a liver problem may be a change in stool color from dark to light yellow or clay colored stools. Liver disease can make it difficult for the body to process bilirubin, a by-product of red blood cells. Liver disease may also cause jaundice, where your skin and eyes turn yellow because the liver is unable to break down bilirubin.
Another common sign of liver problems include swelling in the legs or abdomen area. Liver disease often causes fluid retention which leads to puffiness in different areas of the body. Liver failure can also cause nausea , vomiting , confusion , drowsiness , and loss of appetite.
Liver disease affects every part of the body, including the brain (hepatic encephalopathy) which can impair mental function and contribute to mood swings .
Some other symptoms that should not be ignored are fatigue , itching, itchy skin rashes , nausea, abdominal pain , vomiting, loss of appetite , dark urine or light colored stool, and finally mental confusion. Liver disease symptoms may be similar to other diseases or conditions that are less severe.
Symptoms can vary in severity from case-to-case. Liver disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States . Liver transplant Liver failure Liver cirrhosis
If an individual experiences these symptoms they should consult their doctor for further testing . Liver disease is serious business so catching it early on is key. If you have any questions about liver disease feel free to ask in the comments section below!