Although symptoms can be considered generic and often unspecific, knowing how to identify liver problems early can prevent certain diseases from getting worse. As many diseases related to this organ are, in a way, silent, attention must be doubled.
You may not know it, but the liver is the second largest organ in the human body, weighing an average of 1.5 kilograms. In addition, it is one of the few organs with the capacity to regenerate, and it can return to normal size in case of anomalies, even with limited functions. The liver is responsible for synthesizing cholesterol and detoxifying the body, among other characteristics.
Due to its importance, at the slightest sign of problems you should seek medical attention. But what are the most frequent signs? In this article, we’ll talk a little about them.
Most common symptoms in liver problems
The list of symptoms that possibly represent a liver problem is extensive, but it is worth remembering that noticing just one of them does not necessarily mean that this is the affected organ. A more accurate examination done by a doctor and eventually laboratory tests will determine an accurate diagnosis.
Pay attention to the following symptoms:
1 .Pains in the upper right region of the belly;
2. Sickness or dizziness very often;
3. Daily headaches;
4. Tiredness for no apparent reason;
5. Ease of getting bruises after light strokes;
6. Yellowish color in eyes or skin;
7. Urine with dark color and stronger smell;
8. Lack of appetite;
9. Yellowish, whitish or gray stools;
10. Swollen belly;
11. Itchy sensation throughout the body.
If you only checked one problem on the list, chances are your liver has a problem. However, two or more confirmed symptoms can be a sign that something is wrong and it doesn’t hurt to check with a doctor what kind of problem this could be.
Who is most likely to have liver problems?
Excess fat is one of the main causes of liver problems. Thus, people with inadequate diet, consisting of many fried foods or industrialized foods, are more susceptible to presenting some of these symptoms. Overweight patients or those who do not practice physical activities are at even greater risks.
Another villain of the liver is alcoholic beverages . The organ has the ability to transform this element into other substances. However, when alcohol ingestion occurs in amounts greater than the liver is able to process this can result in damage to the liver cells. Alcoholic liver disease is among the most common ailments that affect the liver.
What are the most common liver-related problems?
In addition to alcoholic liver disease, we can also mention hepatitis (A, B, C, D and E) – all caused by viruses – hepatic steatosis, schistosomiasis, autoimmune hepatitis and drug-induced hepatitis. Diseases caused by an accumulation of iron (haemochromatosis) and copper (Wilson’s disease) in the liver are also recurrent but less common.
Liver steatosis is caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver, but the problems need not necessarily be caused by poor diet. Diabetes and drinking too much alcohol can also result in this condition. In this case, the symptoms are barely noticeable and only blood tests or ultrasound can accurately identify the disease.
Autoimmune hepatitis, on the other hand, is caused by dysfunctions in the immune system. In this scenario, antibodies capable of destroying liver cells are produced. The big problem with this disease is that there are practically no symptoms in the early stages and when the patient discovers the liver can already be quite damaged.
Schistosomiasis, popularly known as “water belly”, is caused by a parasite present in snails found in lakes in the Northeast region. The disease has symptoms similar to cirrhosis, but it also manifests itself only in more advanced stages.
Finally, there are viral hepatitis. In Brazil, the most common are those caused by viruses A, B and C, while in Africa and Asia types D and E are more frequent. Transmission can occur as a result of contact with feces, especially in areas without adequate basic sanitation, through blood transmission, as a result of unprotected sex or sharing of syringes and needles, or even from mother to child during pregnancy .
Medical advice is essential:
As mentioned above, the mere fact that you notice one or two symptoms related to liver problems does not necessarily mean that it is a disease associated with that organ. However, the main recommendation is: if you have two or more symptoms as described above, see a general practitioner.
He is the professional who will be able to carry out preliminary tests and refer you, if necessary, to a hepatologist, a specialist in liver disease. As many of the symptoms manifest late, when noticing them, it is essential not to postpone the visit to the doctor, as the disease picture may be more advanced than you might think.
Healthy eating , exercise, moderate alcohol consumption and safe sex are the main ways to avoid any liver-related problems. Since it is one of Organs most important organs in the human body, give it your full attention. Get routine checkups and consult a doctor if you have any questions.
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