The liver is an essential organ in our body that helps in breaking down nutrients, filtering toxins, and producing bile that aids in digestion. It is crucial to keep the liver healthy for overall well-being.

Liver disease is a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide and can lead to severe complications if left untreated. The good news is that early detection of liver disease can help in reversing the damage and save your liver. Here are some signs of liver disease that you should never ignore:.

Yellow Skin and Eyes

If your skin and eyes appear yellowish, it could be a sign of jaundice, a condition that occurs when there is excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells.

A healthy liver removes bilirubin from the body, but if the liver is not functioning correctly, it can lead to a build-up of bilirubin, causing jaundice. If you experience yellow skin and eyes, consult a doctor immediately.

Abdominal Pain and Swelling

Pain and swelling in the abdomen can be a sign of liver disease. The liver is responsible for producing bile that aids in digestion, and if it is not functioning correctly, it can lead to abdominal pain and swelling.

The swelling can be due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, also known as ascites. If you experience persistent abdominal pain and swelling, seek medical attention.

Fatigue and Weakness

Feeling tired and weak all the time, even after getting enough sleep, can be a sign of liver disease. The liver produces energy by converting glucose into glycogen, which is stored in the muscles and liver.

If the liver is damaged, it can lead to a decrease in energy levels, resulting in fatigue and weakness. If you experience persistent fatigue and weakness, consult a doctor.

Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss

If you have lost your appetite and are experiencing unexplained weight loss, it could be due to liver disease. The liver produces bile that aids in digestion and helps in absorbing nutrients from food.

If the liver is damaged, it can lead to a loss of appetite and weight loss. If you experience persistent loss of appetite and weight loss, consult a doctor.

Dark Urine and Pale Stool

If your urine is dark and your stool is pale, it could be a sign of liver disease. The liver produces bile that helps in the digestion of fats and also gives the stool its brown color.

If the liver is not functioning correctly, it can lead to a decrease in bile production, resulting in dark urine and pale stool. If you experience persistent dark urine and pale stool, consult a doctor.

Nausea and Vomiting

If you experience persistent nausea and vomiting, it could be due to liver disease. The liver is responsible for detoxifying the body and filtering out toxins.

If the liver is not functioning correctly, it can lead to a build-up of toxins in the body, resulting in nausea and vomiting. If you experience persistent nausea and vomiting, consult a doctor.

Itching and Rashes

If you experience persistent itching and rashes, it could be a sign of liver disease. The liver is responsible for filtering out toxins and producing bile that aids in digestion.

If the liver is not functioning correctly, it can lead to a build-up of toxins in the body, resulting in itching and rashes. If you experience persistent itching and rashes, consult a doctor.

Bruising and Bleeding

If you experience frequent bruising and bleeding, it could be due to liver disease. The liver produces clotting factors that help in stopping bleeding.

If the liver is not functioning correctly, it can lead to a decrease in clotting factors, resulting in frequent bruising and bleeding. If you experience frequent bruising and bleeding, consult a doctor.

Confusion and Memory Loss

If you experience confusion and memory loss, it could be due to liver disease.

The liver is responsible for removing toxins from the body, and if it is not functioning correctly, it can lead to a build-up of toxins in the brain, resulting in confusion and memory loss. If you experience confusion and memory loss, consult a doctor.

Yellowing of Fingernails and Toenails

If your nails appear yellowish, it could be due to liver disease.

The liver is responsible for filtering out toxins from the body, and if it is not functioning correctly, it can lead to a build-up of toxins in the nails, resulting in yellowing of the nails. If you experience yellowing of the nails, consult a doctor.

If you experience any of the above signs of liver disease, consult a doctor immediately. Early detection of liver disease can help in reversing the damage and save your liver.

To keep your liver healthy, maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid alcohol and drugs, and get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.