The liver performs many vital functions. It’s responsible for filtering toxins, metabolizing fats and carbs, and many other crucial jobs. If this powerhouse organ isn’t healthy, it can cause a myriad of serious health problems.
If your liver is damaged, it’ll send out several different types of warning signs indicating it’s in need of help. Here’s a short list of symptoms of liver damage.
Swelling
An indication of liver damage is fluid retention. This could cause swelling of the abdominal area, but also swelling in the arms and legs. This is caused by the liver’s inability to produce albumin, which helps prevent fluids from leaking out of blood vessels.
Jaundice
One of the more recognizable symptoms of liver damage is jaundice, the appearance of a yellowish tone in the skin and eyes. Its cause is when the liver can no longer filter bilirubin from the blood.
Pale Stool
Pale or floating stool can be a warning sign of liver damage. When the liver is having issues processing bile, it could turn stool from its normal brown color to yellowish hues, or even pale gray. Floating stool could be caused when the liver cannot properly process fats.
Dark Urine
Amber or brownish urine could be caused by the liver’s inability to filter bilirubin, causing it to accumulate in the blood. Unusually dark urine is a red flag of a damaged liver.
Is Your Liver Trying to Tell You Something?
If you experience swelling in the belly, arms, or legs, it could be a sign of liver trouble. Other signs include the yellowing of skin or eyes, pale stools, and darker than normal urine. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s recommended that you consult your primary care physician.
