According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4.5 million adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with liver disease. This disease can be caused by viral infections such as hepatitis B or C, cancer, genetic disorders or excessive alcohol or drug consumption. If you are at risk of developing liver disease due to one of these conditions, you should know the signs of liver disease to avoid complications.
Signs of liver disease
According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than 100 types of liver diseases have been identified. As you can imagine, not all types of liver disease cause the same symptoms. However, when the liver no longer functions properly, these diseases can cause the same symptoms and signs of liver disease.
If you experience the following symptoms and signs of liver disease, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Detecting liver disease early can help increase your chances of being able to treat it effectively for a better outcome.
1. Jaundice: yellow appearance of the skin and eyes
2. Fluid retention: Swelling in the legs or distention in the abdomen
3. Abdominal pain: tenderness or pain in the abdomen where the liver is located
4. Chronic fatigue: a feeling of tiredness or weakness even when you get enough rest
5. Dark urine: Also related to jaundice, urine may appear dark because the liver is not absorbing a pigment called bilirubin.
6. Itchy skin (pruritus): The itch may be in one place or all over the body.
7. Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite: Nausea and vomiting are often some of the first signs of liver failure, so if you have other symptoms and then experience nausea, seek medical attention.
8. Bleeding or bruising easily: If the liver stops producing proteins that help blood clot, excessive bleeding or bruising easily may occur. People with cirrhosis may also vomit blood or notice blood in their stool.
Types of liver disease
As we have already mentioned, there are multiple types of liver diseases and each of them can cause different symptoms. Types of liver disease include:
Diseases caused by hepatitis infection (A, B or C) or other viral infections
Diseases caused by drugs, poison or excessive alcohol consumption
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Cirrhosis
Liver cancer
Genetic and hereditary diseases.
wilson’s disease
hemochromatosis
Diagnosis of liver disease
If you have symptoms or signs of liver disease, you should seek medical attention immediately. A doctor can evaluate your symptoms and recommend tests when necessary. These tests may include:
Liver function tests are a group of blood tests
Imaging tests such as ultrasound/elastography, CT scans, or MRIs to check for liver damage.
Liver biopsy, in which a long needle is used to remove a sample of liver tissue to check for liver disease and signs of damage.