Signs and Symptoms of Liver Problems

The liver is a major organ present in the human body. It is located in the thoracic region of the abdomen below the diaphragm. It is a pinkish-brown, triangular, soft organ. It is the largest gland of the human body. It performs some important functions of the human body. Liver converts glucose to glycogen, filters toxic matter from the blood, makes bile (a bitter green or yellow alkaline fluid), produces cholesterol and maintains the level of glucose in the blood.

The main liver problems are:

• Wilson’s disease. It is a hereditary disease in which there is copper retention by the body.
• Liver cancer. It is of 2 types-
  1. Hepatocellular cancer or carcinoma (cancer arising from the liver itself)
  2. Metastatic liver disease (cancer which originated in other organs and then spread to the liver)
• Hepatitis. It is the inflammation of the liver. It is caused mainly by viruses. It could also be because of poisons. Weakening of the immune system and hereditary conditions are also some of the reasons.
• Cirrhosis. In this fibrous tissue form in the liver which replace dead liver cells. The death of the liver cells could be because of alcohol intake, viral hepatitis or contact with toxic chemicals.
• Gilbert’s syndrome. It is a genetic disorder of bilirubin (part of the bile produced by the liver) metabolism. The bilirubin level in the blood increases. Jaundice is the main symptom. It affects 5% of the population.
• Hemochromatosis. This is a hereditary disease. Iron is accumulated in the body which causes liver damage.

Liver disease generally may be caused by viral/bacterial infection, chemicals or alcohol consumption.

The main signs and symptoms of liver problems are:

• Jaundice. The skin color turns yellow or orange. The white portion of the eye turns yellow. This is caused by the increased level of bilirubin in the blood . Jaundice is derived from the French word jaune which means yellow.
• Dark coloured urine. It could be tea coloured.
• Excessive thirst and frequent urination. Medically excessive thirst is called polydypsia and excessive urination polyuria.
• Enlargement and bloating of the abdomen. This would be accompanied by abdominal pain.
• Lack of color and pigmentation of the stool. This is because of decrease in the production of bile by the liver. You may pass white colored or gray/pale yellow stools.
• Lack of appetite. You may not feel like eating anything. It leads to anemia and weight loss.
• Nausea and vomiting. Whatever you eat or drink will be expelled through the mouth.

Other signs Include

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Itchy eyes
• Low fever
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Lethargy

The symptoms and signs of liver problems may be acute occurring abruptly or chronic developing slowly over a long period of time. One must be alert to them.

Consult a medical practitioner at the earliest if you suffer from any of the above symptoms. If neglected liver disease can lead to cancer and even death. Many major functions of the body are impaired because of it which will have drastic consequences on your health. So be careful. Health is the greatest wealth one may possess.