The liver is one of the most important organs of your body. Do you know why? Because it releases bile that removes waste products from your body. Apart from this, it also helps in the breakdown of fatty food items. Due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits, liver damage is quite common. It can be treated with medications and lifestyle modification in the initial stages. However, if the condition becomes severe, your liver may damage completely and require a liver transplant. If you want to avoid these complications, do not ignore the following warning signs of liver damage- Show Fluid retention in the abdomen is also known as ascites and is caused due to a condition called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is scarring in liver tissue caused due to conditions like chronic alcoholism and hepatitis. Due to improper functioning of the liver and high blood pressure in the vein carrying blood to your liver (portal vein), fluids leak out of the vein into the belly and lead to ascites. Your body weight will increase with ascites, and your belly size will also increase. Apart from this, you will notice the following symptoms-
Jaundice or yellow discolouration of eyes & urine is a symptom caused due to high levels of bilirubin in your blood that results in the following symptoms.
Your liver is responsible for the formation of clotting proteins, but in case of liver damage, you tend to bruise and bleed more easily than usual due to liver damage. As there is an accumulation of toxins in your body, you feel nauseous, and as the case deteriorates, there is loss of appetite and weight loss. Your liver is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Due to swelling of the liver, you feel dull aching pain in that quadrant. However, if there is fluid retention, it can cause generalized abdominal pain. What to do if you have these symptoms?Seek medical attention and consult your doctor as he will suggest you to undergo Liver Function Test (LFT) and provide you treatment based on the stage of liver disease. Moreover, modify your lifestyle to help your liver heal. Following are some tips that can keep your liver healthy.
If you or your loved one is suffering from liver disease, consult our top specialist now. Related Videos
There are many types of liver disease, which can be caused by infections, inherited conditions, obesity and misuse of alcohol. Over time, liver disease may lead to scarring and more serious complications. Early treatment can help heal the damage and prevent liver failure.
Your liver is your body’s second-largest organ (after the skin). It sits just under your ribcage on the right side and is about the size of a football. The liver separates nutrients and waste as they move through your digestive system. It also produces bile, a substance that carries toxins out of your body and aids in digestion. The term “liver disease” refers to any of several conditions that can affect and damage your liver. Over time, liver disease can cause cirrhosis (scarring). As more scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, the liver can no longer function properly. Left untreated, liver disease can lead to liver failure and liver cancer. How common is liver disease?Overall, about 1 in 10 Americans (30 million in total) have some type of liver disease. About 5.5 million people in the U.S. have chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. Some types of liver disease are becoming more common in the U.S. because they are related to rising rates of obesity. An estimated 20% to 30% of adults have excess fat in their liver, a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFD). This may be renamed metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to reflect its relationship to metabolic syndrome and conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.
Different types of liver disease result from different causes. Liver disease may result from: What are the symptoms of liver disease?Some types of liver disease (including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) rarely cause symptoms. For other conditions, the most common symptom is jaundice — a yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes. Jaundice develops when your liver can’t clear a substance called bilirubin. Other signs of liver disease may include: What are the complications of liver disease?Some types of liver disease can increase your risk of developing liver cancer. Others, if left untreated, continue to damage your liver. Cirrhosis (scarring) develops. Over time, a damaged liver won’t have enough healthy tissue to function. Liver disease that isn’t treated can eventually lead to liver failure.
To accurately diagnose and find the cause of liver disease, your provider will also recommend one or more tests. These may include:
Treatment for liver disease depends on the type of liver disease you have and how far it has progressed. Possible treatments include:
You can take steps to prevent some types of liver disease — especially those affected by your diet and lifestyle. If you are at risk for liver disease, your provider may recommend lifestyle changes including:
You can minimize the likelihood of contracting viral hepatitis by practicing safe sex and not sharing needles.
With early treatment and effective lifestyle changes, many people with liver disease can avoid serious liver damage and prevent liver failure.
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
What questions should I ask my doctor?You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Liver disease can result from infection, an inherited condition, cancer or an overload of toxic substances. Healthcare providers can treat many types of liver disease effectively with medication or lifestyle changes. If you have severe liver disease, a liver transplant may restore your health and extend your life.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/23/2021. References
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy |