Did you know that the liver is the largest solid organ in our body and it is charged for various functions? Some of the most important functions of the liver are:
- Keeps our blood clean,
- Bile is produced, which is crucial for digestion,
- It accumulates glycogen, a form of sugar that creates energy.
Therefore, it means that the liver is a vital organ in our body and if a problem occurs, our health could be at risk. Unfortunately, there are many ways in which the liver can be damaged, but many people are unaware that they have a problem with the liver until it is too late. This can lead to many problems in our health. The care of the liver and the warning signs that indicate that problem is developing are very important. Do you recognize signs of liver damage? If not then you can read about some telltale signs that you should never ignore.
The skin is yellowish
One of the first symptoms of liver damage is discoloration of the skin. If your liver is not strong enough or it is damaged, you will not be able to process toxins consumed with food. This will lead to accumulation of bilirubin, which could cause your skin to turn yellow. Bilirubin is a bile pigment type. Bile is released by the liver and helps in digestion. The damaged liver can not eliminate the bilirubin, which goes directly into the blood. This causes the skin to become yellowish. The yellowing occurs first in the fingernails, on top of the fingers and then on the toes and the eyes.
Changes in faeces and urine
It may not be something that happens regularly, but you should visit a doctor and analyze urine and faeces. If the doctor finds some changes in the colour or composition you may have some problems in the liver. In case if you notice that your urine is foamy and has dark color or your stool is rare and pale, then you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.
You are swollen
If your stomach swells unexpectedly, it could be a sign that you have a problem with your liver. A damaged liver retains fluid, which causes the stomach to swell.
You feel pain
If you are suffering from cramps in the abdomen or severe pain, you may have some problems with your liver. When the function of the liver is poor, it can cause some pain in the abdomen. In case you have pain on the left side of your abdomen, you should visit your doctor immediately.
Acid reflux and vomiting
If there is a great amount of acid reflux, you may suffer from liver problems. When the liver is damaged, it pushes the digestive juices into the esophagus, which leads to acid reflux and poor digestion. Mal digestion eventually leads to vomiting.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should visit your doctor and check your liver.
