Liver Disease Symptoms To Watch Out

What is liver disease?

There are more than 100 types of liver disease, the most common diseases being non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Almost 100 million people in the United States (1 in 3 Americans) have some form of liver disease and 80 million Americans are affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease alone. In 2017, liver disease became the 11th most common cause of death in the U.S. and the 5th leading cause of death for people aged 45 to 54 in 2017, according to CDC. These numbers are only on the increase as time goes on. Liver disease does not discriminate and can affect you at any age, however, it is most common among adults over 40.

The most common causes of liver disease are chronic alcoholism, diabetes, obesity, genetic diseases, viruses, drugs and toxins, high cholesterol and autoimmune disorders.

Why is it important to notice liver disease symptoms early?

Your liver performs over 500 different functions in the body and is impossible to live without. Liver disease is tricky to catch early, as it often remains asymptomatic until it reaches an advanced stage. Therefore, diagnosing liver disease as early as possible is crucial for a successful treatment of the disease. If diagnosed early and if the disease hasn´t reached an irreversible stage, liver damage can be stopped or reversed in some cases. The early signs of liver disease such as exhaustion are often mistaken for the flu, so it is important to be aware of the changes in your body and what they mean for your health.

Early signs and symptoms of liver disease

Liver disease does not always show any symptoms; however, when it does, watch out for the following signs:

• Abdominal swelling
• Bruising
• Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
• Pain in the upper right abdomen
• Fatigue and weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and or vomiting
• Irritated and or itchy skin
• Fluid retention
• Changes in urine color (to dark)
• Pale stool

If you experience any of the above symptoms or you think you may have damage to your liver, then you should contact your doctor immediately.

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Diagnosis and prevention

If liver disease runs in your family or you think you may be susceptible to liver disease, you should go for regular check-ups with your healthcare professional. Doctors can check whether you have liver disease in several different ways such as blood tests, scans and in more serious cases, a liver biopsy. The best way to prevent developing liver disease are as follows:

• Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
• Exercise regularly
• Keep stress to a minimum
• Practice safe sex
• Control your medication
• Limit your alcohol consumption
• Avoid exposure to toxins
• Get appropriate vaccines before traveling