Indications Your Liver Might Be Under Strain

October 15, 2023

Dr. Benyamin Mansoori

MD, FRACGP, FACAM
Advance Diploma in General Dermatology
Diploma of Cosmetic Medicine

The liver, a vital component of our digestive system, plays a multifaceted role in maintaining our health. This includes detoxifying our blood, metabolizing medications, generating bile, aiding in fat digestion, preserving glucose, and producing proteins crucial for blood clotting. Though the liver is resilient, with an ability to rejuvenate its cells, continuous damage can result in inflammation, scarring, and even cirrhosis, rendering it less effective.

Liver conditions are typically silent, with symptoms appearing only once significant damage has occurred. Certain factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to toxins, a high-fat diet, and certain viral infections like hepatitis can be detrimental to liver health.

Here are nine indications that your liver might need attention:

Persistent Fatigue: While the direct correlation remains unclear, individuals with liver issues often report feelings of exhaustion.
Feeling Nauseous: The liver’s reduced efficiency in filtering toxins can lead to nausea as these toxins accumulate in the bloodstream.
Unusual Stool Color: Dark-colored stools owe their hue to the bile salts produced by the liver. Pale or even black tarry stools might point to liver complications, with the latter requiring immediate medical intervention.
Yellowing of Skin or Eyes (Jaundice): This signifies a bilirubin accumulation in the blood due to the liver’s compromised processing capability. This condition can also result in itchy skin.
Appearance of Spider Naevi: These are tiny, spider-shaped arteries visible on the skin. While not uncommon in healthy women, an abundance, especially in men or on the upper body, could be a sign of liver strain.
Frequent Bruising: A compromised liver can affect the production of clotting proteins, leading to easy bruising.
Red Palms (Palmar Erythema): Cirrhosis of the liver can manifest as a reddish hue on the palms, seen in approximately one-fourth of patients.
Dark-Colored Urine: A hue ranging from dark orange to brown might indicate high bilirubin levels due to the liver’s inability to process it efficiently.
Abdominal Swelling (Ascites): Fluid accumulation in the abdomen, and even swelling in the legs and ankles, can be indicative of a struggling liver.