Early indicators of liver injury you shouldn’t ignore

« Liver damage can manifest in various ways, and recognising early signs is crucial for prompt medical intervention. One prominent indicator is jaundice, where the skin and eyes turn yellow due to elevated bilirubin levels. Persistent abdominal pain and swelling might also signal liver issues, as the liver becomes inflamed or enlarged, » says Dr Gaurav Chaubal, Director of Liver, Pancreas, Intestine Transplant Programme and Hepato-Pancreato- Biliary surgical procedure at Global Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai.

« Spectrum of liver damage can vary from fatty liver to end stage liver failure. Fatty liver can be present without signs and symptoms. However, a few patients might have feeling of heaviness and fullness in abdomen. As the liver disease progress towards cirrhosis and end stage liver disease- the symptoms appear, increase in frequency and severity. Liver damage can present as jaundice (yellowness of eyes, dark coloured urine), swelling of feet, loss of appetite, unexpected weight loss, itching, muscle weakness, darkness of skin colour, loss of hair, loss of muscle mass, distension of abdomen, bleed in stools or vomiting, black coloured stools, sleep disturbances, disorientation, » says Dr Punit Singla, Director & HOD – Liver Transplant & HPB Surgery, Marengo Asia Hospitals Faridabad.

Dr Singla provides that one of many problematic issues of liver injury is growth of liver most cancers which is tough to detect within the early levels.

« Usually, it presents when disease is advanced. It can occur with or without a history. A patient who has no history of cirrhosis – the signs of loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, pedal edema, heaviness/fullness. Any patient with such symptoms needs to undergo screening for liver disease, using blood investigations and ultrasound abdomen – which can help to identify liver disease at an early stage. Patients with liver disease or with a history of liver disease in the family need to meet doctors at regular intervals for screening checkup, » says Dr Singla.

EARLY SIGNS OF LIVER DAMAGE

Dr Chaubal shares early indicators of liver injury that you shouldn’t ignore:

Dark urine

Changes in urine and stool color might be indicative. Dark urine might recommend an issue with bile excretion, whereas pale-coloured stools can point out a scarcity of bilirubin reaching the intestines. Unexplained weight reduction, fatigue, and weak spot may very well be indicators of liver injury, because the organ performs a key function in metabolism.

Gastro signs

Gastrointestinal signs equivalent to nausea, vomiting, and lack of urge for food might accompany liver injury. Spider angiomas, small blood vessels seen on the pores and skin resembling spider legs, generally is a seen signal of liver points. Additionally, persistent itching may end result from bile salts accumulating within the pores and skin.

Impaired mind perform

An impaired liver might have an effect on psychological perform, resulting in confusion or problem concentrating. Sleep disturbances, like insomnia or daytime sleepiness, may be linked to liver dysfunction. Blood clotting points can come up because of decreased manufacturing of clotting elements by the liver.

Skin modifications

Dark patches on the pores and skin, also known as liver spots or age spots, may point out liver injury as nicely. Chronic liver injury might progress to cirrhosis, characterised by scarring of the liver tissue, leading to issues like fluid accumulation within the stomach (ascites) or oesophageal varices.

If you observe these indicators, searching for medical consideration promptly is essential. Liver injury can stem from varied causes, together with alcohol abuse, viral infections, and fatty liver illness. Early detection and way of life modifications can contribute considerably to managing and bettering liver well being.