Jaundice is usually the first sign, and sometimes the only sign, of liver disease.
Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice) Abdominal pain and swelling. Swelling in the legs and ankles. Itchy skin.
Liver failure occurs when your liver isn't working well enough to perform its functions (for example, manufacturing bile and ridding your body of harmful substances). Symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, and blood in the stool.
Symptoms of liver failure include diarrhea, weight loss, appetite loss, confusion, and disorientation. Because symptoms of disease in the liver are either nonexistent or can also be indicators of other health issues, it may not always be properly diagnosed.
A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions. Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage.
Some people with liver disease experience skin itching all over their body or in specific areas, like the feet or arms. Itchiness is not a symptom of liver disease on its own, though. Liver disease is a condition affecting your liver's ability to function.
Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite is a common cause of liver disease. It is especially likely if the person also has nausea and vomiting as symptoms. Not surprisingly, weight loss is a common result. The good news is that this is considered an early sign of liver disease.
Pale stools may be an indication of damage to the liver. As stools appear lighter, urine may appear darker due to the same bilirubin build-up that leads to jaundice. Black, tarry stools can also be an indicator of liver problems, caused by blood passing through the digestive system.
Signs and symptoms of acute liver failure may include: Yellowing of your skin and eyeballs (jaundice) Pain in your upper right abdomen. A swollen belly (ascites)
In many ways, PBC is the archetypal cholestatic liver disease, and cholestatic pruritus has been mainly studied in this condition. In PBC, pruritus can develop at any stage of the disease, and once it occurs its severity may diminish over time but it rarely resolves completely without treatment.
The liver has a unique capacity among organs to regenerate itself after damage. A liver can regrow to a normal size even after up to 90% of it has been removed. But the liver isn't invincible. Many diseases and exposures can harm it beyond the point of repair.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, acute liver disease may have several symptoms, including: fever. tiredness or weakness. yellowing of the skin and eyes, known as jaundice.
Dehydration can greatly affect liver function, especially the ability to detoxify blood. On average, you should drink eight to ten glasses of water a day; those with health conditions may need to increase their water intake beyond the recommended amount.
You may have clay-colored stools if you have a liver infection that reduces bile production, or if the flow of bile out of the liver is blocked. Yellow skin (jaundice) often occurs with clay-colored stools. This may be due to the buildup of bile chemicals in the body.
There are at-home liver panel tests that can determine liver function by screening for proteins and enzymes like albumin, globulin, ALP, ALT, and GGT. These tests use a finger-prick sample and include materials to collect and send your specimen to the lab. You can order a liver panel from home and get tested in a lab.
Life expectancy with cirrhosis of the liver depends on whether you are in the early or late stage of the disease. People in the early stage of the disease may live between nine and 12 years, while people in the late stages may only live two years.
Reversing liver damage Liver Basics
Barring complications, the liver can repair itself completely and, within a month, the patient will show no signs of damage. However, sometimes the liver gets overwhelmed and can't repair itself completely, especially if it's still under attack from a virus, drug, or alcohol.
You know that your liver function is worsening if the signs of liver failure have started or are increasing. Look out for jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), nausea, fatigue, and pain on the right side of the abdomen.