How to Recognize the Symptoms of Liver Disease

The liver is considered to be the largest organ in our body and it performs many functions. It directly or indirectly accounts for growth, immunization, nutrition and reproduction. A liver disease can disrupt any of these vital processes. You can find liver disorder by identifying several symptoms.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. See if the patient has discoloration of skin. The skin and eyes acquire a yellowish tinge and the urine turns dark yellow. It is called jaundice and this is considered to be the primary sign of liver disease.

2. Track the patient’s diet. Loss of appetite leading to weight loss is indicative of liver dysfunction. The patient may become anemic and have a nauseating feeling.

3. Check for light colored stools as it indicates the beginning of liver disorder. A liver patient may also complain of irritable bowels or irregular bowel movements.

4. Find out if there is distended abdomen. Swelling under the right lower ribs is a common complaint of liver patients. It can put severe pressure on the diaphragm that results in painful breathing.

5. Examine the shape and appearance of the nails. Curved and whitish look of nails also suggests a liver problem.

6. Notice nose bleeding and easy bruises as it shows liver abnormality and deficiency of proteins.

7. Test for polydipsia and polyuria—excessive thirst and frequent urination can occur in case of a liver disease.

8. Frequent headaches, dizziness, spasms, irritability, depression and so on are also indicative of liver problem.

Tips & Warnings

• Observe cleanliness. Washing hands thoroughly with soap after using the restroom or changing diapers help in the prevention liver disorders.
• Avoid toxic substances and excess intake of alcohol, as it increases the vulnerability to liver diseases.

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[robinett]

on 9/24/2009 My name is Catherine. I can't seem to find out what kind of symptoms a person has when they are close to liver failure. I drank almost 24/7 for about 36 years and and a year in a half ago was diagnosed with acute hep c. The main symptom I am experiencing is a bad pain under my right rib and it is like a severe heart burn. I can't get a straight answer from my provider, they act like I have done this on perpose and don't deserve the time of day. I don't know if I am going to wake up in the morning or if my daughter or granddaughter are going to find me dead. Please help me find some answers [e-mail] Thank you!

[Pelle]

on 12/17/2008 My name is Gaboipeelwe Andreck, Motswana ypung man aged 24,in March 20 2008 iwas told by the doctor that i have hepatitis B...i was really heart broken in a way that i thought it was the end of my life...i was told to quit but could'nt just do it...i thougth may be i may get medication in a near future but nothing was done about my health.Right now is the mounth December, i saw the doctor like two weeks ago and i told that ther is still no medication for me as my liver is not such bad...so i have decided to quit alcohol and smoking and have hope in the Lord that i will be ok...

[littlebones]

on 11/21/2008 I was diagosis with Hepatitis C in 2006! I has to take a shot once a week for 36 weeks and the shot made me so sick. Sometimes I felt like a was dying! After so many weeks my doctor told me that the shot was not helping me and I started crying. I ask myself why me and thought about my children, grandchildren and 2 very special great grandchildren, and my love of my life husband. I was very hurt and didn't know what to do. Then I told myself look God will help me and see me threw all of this. I am still fighting the liver disease and I know God has a plan for me! God Bless all of you that are hurting like me!