The liver is an organ about the size of a small football. This large, meaty organ sits on the right side of the belly and weighs about 3 pounds, is reddish-brown in colour and feels rubbery to the touch. Now you may ask why you cannot feel it .... and the answer to that is - because it's protected by the rib cage.
What does the liver do? It helps us to digest food and to get rid of toxic substances that accumulate inside our body.
Liver disease can be inherited (genetic) or caused by a variety of factors such as viruses, alcohol use and obesity. Over time, conditions that damage the liver can lead to scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition.
However, let that not scare you as early recognition of symptoms and prompt treatment can stall the damage and restore health for the patient.
Here are four of the most common signs of liver failure. See your doctor if you notice any of these issues.
1. Fluid retention, swelling on legs, stomach: This is the most common sign of liver disease, appearing in 50 per cent of people who have cirrhosis, a condition in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. Fluid accumulates around your abdominal area and/or legs show swelling. This happens when high blood pressure causes disruption in the process of creating albumin within your liver. Albumin is a protein that prevents leaks from your bloodstream into tissue.
2. Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice): You may notice a marked change in the colour of your eyes, skin and urine. They will look a darker shade of yellow. This happens when bilirubin, a pigment that forms when red blood cells break down, builds up in your bloodstream. A healthy liver absorbs bilirubin and converts it into bile - which is thrown out of the body through the stools.
3. Confusion and difficulty thinking clearly: Hepatic encephalopathy may cause confusion or drowsiness. Loss of brain function occurs when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood. This is called hepatic encephalopathy (HE). This problem may occur suddenly or it may develop slowly over time.
4. Bleeding: Your liver typically cycles about 25% of your blood from the portal vein. But cirrhosis creates an opportunity for bleeding. You may vomit blood or notice blood in the stools or rectal bleeding. Many patients with cirrhosis have portal vein thrombosis, usually, because blood flow through the severely scarred liver is slow and therefore more likely to clot. Any condition that makes blood more likely to clot can cause portal vein thrombosis.
5. Other signs to watch out for:
- Itchy skin
- Chronic fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Tendency to bruise easily
According to Pub.Med.Gov, the liver disease accounts for approximately 2 million deaths per year worldwide, 1 million due to complications of cirrhosis and 1million due to viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. You must care for your liver health. Reach out to your doctor immediately if you feel pain, discomfort, or any of the above signs and symptoms. Acute liver failure can develop quickly in an otherwise healthy person, and it is life-threatening. If you or someone you know suddenly develops yellowing of the eyes or skin; tenderness in the upper abdomen; or any unusual changes in mental state, personality or behaviour, seek medical attention right away.
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