According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 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 use. If you are at risk for developing liver disease due to one of these conditions, you should be aware of the signs of liver disease to avoid complications.
Signs of liver disease
According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than 100 types of liver disease have been identified. As you can imagine, not all types of liver disease cause the same symptoms. However, when the liver is no longer functioning 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. Early detection of liver disease can help increase your chances of effective treatment and a better outcome.
1. Jaundice: yellowing of the skin and eyes
2. Fluid retention: Swelling in the legs or distension 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 getting enough rest
5. Dark urine: Also related to jaundice, urine may appear dark because the liver is not absorbing a pigment called bilirubin.
6. Skin itching (pruritus): the itching 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 easy bruising: If the liver stops producing proteins that help the blood clot, excessive bleeding or easy bruising may occur. People with cirrhosis may also vomit blood or notice blood in their stool.
Types of liver disease
As we’ve already mentioned, there are many types of liver disease, and each 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
Non-alcoholic 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 tissue sample from the liver to check for liver disease and signs of damage.
