Experimental studies and clinical observations have shown that stress can damage hepatic tissue both directly and indirectly. Many studies have partially revealed the contributors of stress‐induced liver injury; however, the whole process has not yet been uncovered.
So, when the liver is stressed, it can disturb our emotional health. Emotions like anger, impatience, irritability and depression are common symptoms when the liver is in distress. Worse, it can affect your decision-making abilities and cause brain fog. It may even result in aggression and nasty outburst.
During stress, natural killer cells (NKT) are expanded in the liver and, in some of these cases, contributed to liver cell death and worsening of liver disease. In the part of the brain that controls the liver, stress was found to impair blood flow and may lead to or trigger liver damage.
Indeed, stress involves both behavioral and biological responses, which activate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in elevated levels of cortisol and pro-inflammatory biomarkers that could be involved in the development of NAFLD [56].
Additionally, stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors, including alcohol intake, tobacco use, and poor diet, which are also associated with fatty liver8,10.
Stress is connected to high levels of cortisol, which, in turn, is connected to liver damage. NKT (Natural Killer Cells) expand in the liver during periods of stress and these kill liver cells, making liver conditions worse.
Anger is the emotion of the liver and the gallbladder, organs associated with the wood element. Emotions like rage, fury or aggravation can indicate that this energy is in excess, and when we experience these emotions consistently, our liver can get damaged.
Much can be said about the effects of trauma on our health. Trauma increases anxiety levels and keeps the body and brain constantly in a fight or flight mode. This raises the levels of stress hormones which negatively impacts organs including the brain and liver.
Healing can begin as early as a few days to weeks after you stop drinking, but if the damage is severe, healing can take several months. In some cases, “if the damage to the liver has been long-term, it may not be reversible,” warns Dr. Stein.
However, as your liver loses its ability to function properly, you're likely to experience a loss of appetite, nausea and itchy skin. In the later stages, symptoms can include jaundice, vomiting blood, dark, tarry-looking stools, and a build-up of fluid in the legs (oedema) and abdomen (ascites).
Most people with liver disease report abdominal pain. Pain in your liver itself can feel like a dull throbbing pain or a stabbing sensation in your right upper abdomen just under your ribs.
Lorazepam is metabolized by the liver to inactive metabolites and is considered the benzodiazepine best tolerated by patients with advanced liver disease.
Keep Your Liver Happy
You can make your liver's job easier -- and yourself healthier -- if you eat the right things. A balanced diet with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein is a good start.
The liver controls dispersion and regulates the emotions, and pathological changes in this process are associated with psychological stress. Therefore, research on the biological mechanisms by which the liver regulates emotion usually focus on psychological stress.
When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus.
The study also found that in the part of the brain that controls the liver, stress was found to weaken blood flow which could lead to or trigger liver damage.
The short answer is yes — stress and anxiety can possibly cause elevated levels of liver-produced enzymes. There's some evidence of liver injury in times of stress, so it's important to understand how liver enzymes work.
Foods that support liver health include berries, cruciferous vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and fatty fish. Coffee and green tea contain antioxidants that are helpful for liver health.
Abdominal pain. Fatigue. Nausea and vomiting. Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
One common cause of upper abdominal or liver pain is liver disease, like hepatitis or cirrhosis, which can result in inflammation and damage to the liver. Infection. Another cause of upper abdominal or liver pain may be an infection, such as mono or a parasite.