Signs Your Liver Could Be Failing
Three certain types of pain in your tummy may be signs your liver could be failing; slight, moderate, and severe. Other symptoms are increased levels of insulin and liver enzymes. There is also nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and elevated triglyceride levels.
Most times, liver failure results from cirrhosis, which is the scarring of the liver. It is caused by scar tissues from long-term liver damage. This prevents the liver from working properly. Although the liver can continue to function if you have cirrhosis, it can result in liver failure.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the following are the symptoms of cirrhosis:
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Easy bruising
- Low energy and weakness (fatigue)
Usually, all the symptoms above aren’t usually a sign of anything serious. Itchy skin is often caused by irritated, cracked, or dry skin. You may have a loss of appetite if you have a cold, experience food poisoning, or suffer from side effects of medication.
Old age also comes with weaker blood vessels, so people tend to bruise more easily as they age. Long work hours, too many late nights can cause tiredness, which may result in weakness and low energy. However, cirrhosis symptoms depend on how severe your cirrhosis is.
You may not experience any symptoms if you have mild cirrhosis. Also, the symptoms of cirrhosis may appear similar to those of other health problems. This is why it is recommended that you consult with your health care provider to be sure.
Other signs your liver could be failing include:
- Ascites – fluid buildup in the belly
- Vomiting blood – caused by bleeding in the food pipe’s blood vessels (esophagus)
- Gallstones
- Jaundice – yellowing of the eyes and skin
- Muscle loss
- Spider-like veins in the skin
- Weight loss
- Confusion
Read Also: 7 Fatty Liver Disease Diet Recipes To Reverse Your Fatty Liver
Causes Of Fatty Liver Disease
Even today, it is hard for experts to explain why some people have fat accumulated in their livers while others don’t.
Also, the understanding surrounding the inflammation and progression of fatty liver disease to more severe complications is still limited.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the possible markers of fatty liver disease include:
- Overweight or obesity
- Insulin resistance
- High blood sugar indicating prediabetes
- type 2 diabetes
- High levels of fats in the blood.
The combination of all the health problems above seems to encourage the deposit of fat in the liver. Excess fat in the body is toxic to the cells in your liver and the toxin causes liver inflammation, which results in the accumulation of scar tissue in the liver.
The inflammation caused by toxins in the liver can also cause non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Nash is a form of fatty liver disease but it is more aggressive. If not taken care of, it can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure.
The cause of your liver problem will determine how your treatment will be carried out. While cirrhosis does not have a cure yet, there are ways to manage the complications.
Read Also: 15 Best Liver Detoxification Diets To Cleanse Your Liver
Signs Your Liver Could Be Failing – Fatty Liver Disease Diagnosis
Unfortunately, you will probably not know you have developed fatty liver you are diagnosed with during tests; most likely a test that is carried out on you for another reason.
According to the NHS, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is often discovered after a blood test. The blood test is known as a liver function test. Fatty liver is diagnosed if this test produces an abnormal result after doctors have ruled out hepatitis and other liver conditions. However, there are times that blood test doesn’t pick up NAFLD.
Fatty liver disease may also be discovered while an ultrasound scan of one’s tummy is ongoing. This scan involves using sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body.
Here Is What To Do If You Experience Signs Your Liver Could Be Failing
According to NHS, if you have a liver problem, the following are lifestyle changes you can adopt to reduce your chances of complications.
- Stay away from alcohol
- Quit smoking
- If you are overweight, lose weight
- Exercise regularly. This will help you limit muscle loss
- Practice good hygiene to avoid infections
- Get vaccinated
- Cirrhosis can affect the work of medications in your body, so speak to a pharmacist before you take any over-the-counter drugs.
While weight loss can help you improve your fatty liver disease, it is advisable that you shouldn’t try to lose weight too quickly as this may also affect your liver. So, avoid a crash diet or plans that are designed to help you lose 10 pounds in two weeks.
Don’t forget to exercise too. It will help you lose weight and if you don’t lose weight, you get to reduce any damage to your liver. If you must drink alcohol, make sure you do it in moderation.
