liver damage symptoms men

What are the first signs of a bad liver?

There are several signs of a bad liver caused by scarring:

• Persistent lethargy
• Pain in the back, sides, thighs, and abdomen
• High blood pressure
• Rashes or itchiness in the abdomen
• Poor or high fluid retention
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Stomach cramps
• Sores or ulcers
• Dehydration

What are the early symptoms of liver damage?

If signs and symptoms of liver disease do occur, the may include:

• Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Swelling in the legs and ankles
• Itchy skin
• Dark urine color
• Pale stool color
• Chronic fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Tendency to bruise easily

What are the symptoms of liver disease in men?

You have symptoms of liver damage (cirrhosis), such as:

• feeling very tired and weak all the time
• loss of appetite – which may lead to weight loss
• loss of sex drive (libido)
• yellow skin and whites of the eyes ( jaundice)

What are signs that your liver is in trouble?

What are the 4 signs of a dying liver?

• Fluid retention. This is the most common sign of liver disease, appearing in 50 percent of people who have cirrhosis, a condition in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. ...
• Jaundice. ...
• Bleeding. ...
• Confusion.

What are the 4 warning signs of a damaged liver?

Tip-offs to Liver DamageJaundice or yellowing of the eyes or skin.Pain and distention of the abdomen due to the release of fluid from the liver.Swelling of lower legs due to fluid retention.Confusion or forgetfulness. ... Dark-colored urine.Pale-colored stool.Chronic fatigue.Nausea or vomiting.

How do I know if I have damaged my liver?

As the liver becomes more severely damaged, more obvious and serious symptoms can develop, such as:yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)swelling in the legs, ankles and feet caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema)swelling in your abdomen caused by a build-up of fluid known as ascites.More items...

What are the five signs of liver damage?

Five Liver Damage Warning SignsFluid Retention. When there is a buildup of scar tissue in the liver known as cirrhosis, the blood flow through the liver is blocked. ... Jaundice. ... Nausea/Loss of Appetite. ... Pale Stools. ... Bruising. ... Caring for Your Liver.

What is one of the first signs of liver disease?

Sometimes, jaundice is caused by the breakdown of a large number of red blood cells, which can occur in newborns. Jaundice is usually the first sign, and sometimes the only sign, of liver disease.

What are the 3 signs of a fatty liver?

SymptomsAbdominal swelling (ascites)Enlarged blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface.Enlarged spleen.Red palms.Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

How do you check for liver damage at home?

Home tests require a blood sample, often from a finger prick. Some of these screenings may look at different markers to screen for liver and other organ health. For example, some companies offer a lipid or cholesterol test that can monitor both liver and heart health.

How can I check my liver health?

Blood tests used to assess the liver are known as liver function tests. But liver function tests can be normal at many stages of liver disease. Blood tests can also detect if you have low levels of certain substances, such as a protein called serum albumin, which is made by the liver.

Can liver damage be repaired?

The liver is a unique organ. It is the only organ in the body that is able to regenerate. With most organs, such as the heart, the damaged tissue is replaced with scar, like on the skin. The liver, however, is able to replace damaged tissue with new cells.

Can a damaged liver be cured?

No, there is no cure for cirrhosis. The damage already done to your liver is permanent. However, depending on the underlying cause of your cirrhosis, there may be actions you can take to keep your cirrhosis from getting worse.

What are the symptoms of liver problems?

These 10 not-so-common signs of liver issues are not early signs of liver damage. They typically develop once liver disease has progressed: Itchy Skin – This may be caused by a chemical in bile that accumulates in the bloodstream when the liver is damaged.

What happens if your liver is damaged?

A damaged liver may fail to regulate the production and breakdown of hormones. Shrunken Testicles or Erectile Dysfunction – A damaged liver may fail to regulate the production and breakdown of hormones. Dark Circles Under the Eyes and/or Blemishes on the Skin.

What causes liver disease?

Liver disease can be genetic or be caused by a variety of other factors that damages the liver, such as: 1 A virus like Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C 2 Alcohol use 3 Fatty liver 4 Toxin exposure 5 Blockage of the liver’s bile ducts

How many people have liver disease?

Experts believe that an estimated 10 to 30 percent of Americans have one of over 100 types of liver disease. A majority of these individuals have yet to realize their liver is in danger, because they may not be knowledgeable about the signs of liver problems. After incurring damage to its cells, the liver has a remarkable ability ...

Why does my right side of my abdomen hurt?

Liver Area Pain (upper right hand side of the abdomen) – likely caused by inflammation in the liver. Fluid Retention and Swelling of the Abdomen and/or Leg and Ankle Swelling – This is due to ascites, which occurs as a result of poor kidney function in cirrhosis (advanced liver disease).

Can the liver regenerate?

After incurring damage to its cells, the liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate new cells. This recovery only happens when normal cell injuries occur. Pathology in the liver typically causes the rate of liver cell damage to outpace the rate of liver cell regeneration. Over time, unrepaired liver cell damage can lead to irreversible scarring ...

Can liver disease be fatal?

Unfortunately, liver disease that is not diagnosed and addressed can have serious – or even fatal consequences. There are rarely early symptoms of liver disease. It doesn’t exhibit obvious symptoms until the illness has progressed to a serious stage. Thus, being alerted to these 16 signs of liver damage can prompt a physician screening ...

What are the symptoms of liver damage?

9. Fluid Retention. One of the early signs and symptoms of liver damage is fluid retention, especially in the ankles and feet. This is similar to ascites except the fluid is building up in the outer tissues in the lower extremities. There are many other causes of fluid retention, including kidney problems, hormonal imbalances, ...

How to tell if liver is damaged?

Fatigue and Overall Weakness. One of the early and obvious signsof liver damage is constantly feeling tired and weak. When the liver is not in great condition, the body must work harder and you will need more rest.

Why is the liver important for digestion?

The liver is important in digestion because it makes bile that helps the nutrients be better processed and absorbed by the small intestines. If the liver is failing, you can develop an increase in indigestion and diarrhea. If the bile is not produced properly, you can also experience irritable bowel syndrome, fatty food intolerance, alcohol intolerance, abdominal bloating, constipation and gallstones. If this becomes severe, you need to seek the medical attention of a doctor.

What are the early signs of liver disease?

Here are some common early signs. 1. Upset Stomach.

What happens if you don't produce bile?

If the bile is not produced properly, you can also experience irritable bowel syndrome, fatty food intolerance, alcohol intolerance, abdominal bloating, constipation and gallstones. If this becomes severe, you need to seek the medical attention of a doctor. 5. Alterations in the Color of Urine. If you think you are drinking enough ...

What happens if you don't eat enough liver?

If the symptoms persist, especially with other early signs of liver damage, seek medical advice as soon as you can. 3. Lack of Appetite. This happens due to a lack of production of bile that helps digest fat in the diet. When food isn't properly digested, it can lead to a lack of appetite and a severe loss of weight.

How do you know if you have a symtom?

Here are some common early signs. 1. Upset Stomach. You are likely to get nausea and vomiting. They can mimic other diseases, such as migraines, food poisoning, vertigo, motion sickness, early pregnancy, depression and vomiting. It can mimic kidney problems as well.

How do you know if you have liver disease?

These include: yellow skin and eyes ( jaundice) dark urine. pale, bloody, or black (tarlike) stool. swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen. nausea.

What are the causes of liver problems?

Genetics can play a part in the development of some liver conditions. Common genetic conditions that can lead to liver problems include: hereditary hemochromatosis, a condition that causes your body to store excess iron in your organs.

Why is it important to know if your liver isn't functioning properly?

When your liver isn’t functioning properly due to liver disease , it can have potentially serious health effects. This is partly why it’s important to know how to recognize symptoms of a potential liver issue. Plus, most liver diseases are easier to manage with early detection.

What causes pain in the right side of the abdomen?

However, some people experience pain in the right side of their abdomen. As it progresses, it can also cause: fever. nausea and vomiting. jaundice. Many people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease also have few or no symptoms in its earlier stages. But over time it may cause: general weakness and fatigue.

What causes copper to be released from the liver?

Wilson’s disease, a condition that causes your liver to store copper instead of releasing it so it can leave your body. alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a condition where your body can’t make enough alpha-1 antitrypsin, which is mostly produced in your liver. Symptoms vary depending on the condition but may include:

What happens when you have too much fat in your liver?

Fatty liver disease happens when there’s excess fat in the liver. A liver with too much fat will swell and become inflamed. This inflammation can lead to cirrhosis (scarring), which can permanently damage the liver. There are two types of fatty liver disease:

What is the disease that causes inflammation in the liver?

Autoimmune symptoms. An autoimmune disease is a condition that involves your immune system attacking healthy tissue in your body. Those that cause your immune system to attack your liver can cause inflammation and scarring. Autoimmune liver conditions include:

The Role of the Liver

As we’ve discussed previously, while your liver is a part of your gastrointestinal system, its functions extend beyond simply producing bile for digestion.

6 Signs of Liver Damage

Sometimes the signs of liver damage can be easily mistaken for other health concerns or disorders. Here are six of the top signs you may have a problem with your liver and should consider getting it tested.

What to Do If You Suspect You Have Liver Damage

If you have one or more of the symptoms above, you may begin to suspect that you have some of the signs of liver damage.

How do you know if you have liver failure?

Signs and symptoms of acute liver failure may include: Yellowing of your skin and eyeballs (jaundice) Pain in your upper right abdomen. Abdominal swelling (ascites) Nausea. Vomiting. A general sense of feeling unwell (malaise) Disorientation or confusion. Sleepiness.

What are the complications of liver failure?

Acute liver failure often causes complications, including: 1 Excessive fluid in the brain (cerebral edema). Too much fluid causes pressure to build up in your brain, which can lead to disorientation, severe mental confusion and seizures. 2 Bleeding and bleeding disorders. A failing liver cannot make enough clotting factors, which help blood to clot. Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract is common with this condition. It may be difficult to control. 3 Infections. People with acute liver failure are more likely to develop infections, particularly in the blood and in the respiratory and urinary tracts. 4 Kidney failure. Kidney failure often occurs after liver failure, especially if you had an acetaminophen overdose, which damages both your liver and your kidneys.

What is liver failure?

Overview. Acute liver failure is loss of liver function that occurs rapidly — in days or weeks — usually in a person who has no preexisting liver disease. It's most commonly caused by a hepatitis virus or drugs, such as acetaminophen.

Can liver failure cause kidney failure?

People with acute liver failure are more likely to develop infections, particularly in the blood and in the respiratory and urinary tracts. Kidney failure. Kidney failure often occurs after liver failure, especially if you had an acetaminophen overdose, which damages both your liver and your kidneys.

Can liver failure be reversed?

It's a medical emergency that requires hospitalization. Depending on the cause, acute liver failure can sometimes be reversed with treatment. In many situations, though, a liver transplant may be the only cure.

Can anti-inflammatory drugs cause liver failure?

Some prescription medications, including antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anticonvulsants, can cause acute liver failure. Herbal supplements. Herbal drugs and supplements, including kava, ephedra, skullcap and pennyroyal, have been linked to acute liver failure. Hepatitis and other viruses.

Can liver failure cause yellowing?

Acute liver failure can develop quickly in an otherwise healthy person, and it is life-threatening. If you or someone you know suddenly develops a yellowing of the eyes or skin; tender ness in the upper abdomen; or any unusual changes in mental state, personality or behavior, seek medical attention right away.

What does it mean when your liver is swollen?

Feeling sore, swollen, or achy in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen is a sign your liver might be in peril, Dr. Bacon says. While your liver spans most of your abdominal cavity, it’s shaped like a wedge, and its fat end is housed on your right side. If it’s sick or inflamed, you may feel it, he says.

What is cirrhosis in the liver?

Cirrhosis is the name of a type of serious liver deterioration that results from a long-standing disease or injury, says Jamile Wakim-Fleming, M.D., a liver disease expert at Cleveland Clinic. Think of cirrhosis as arthritis of your liver; once it settles in, you’re in trouble.

Can cirrhosis cause liver cancer?

Patients with liver cirrhosis are at significant risk for liver cancer and may eventually require a transplant, Dr. Wakim-Fleming says. Fatty liver disease —which often goes hand in hand with obesity—is the most common cause of liver issues, Dr. Bacon says.

Is dark urine a sign of liver disease?

This is jaundice. “ Dark urine and light feces are also signs of jaundice,” she adds. Arthritis-like joint pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and loss of appetite are all interrelated symptoms of liver disease—particularly autoimmune hepatitis, Dr. Wakim-Fleming explains.

What is the most common sign of liver damage?

Liver disease might be to blame. One of the most incredibly common signs of liver damage is chronic fatigue, which according to a study published in the Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, could occur due to changes in neurotransmission within the brain.

How do you know if you have liver damage?

According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the most common signs of liver damage is a loss of appetite, making your non-existent hunger pangs something to be weary of. And for more ways your body is trying to tell you something's wrong, check out 23 Unexpected Signs Your Heart Is Unhealthy. 2. Your sleep patterns are inconsistent.

What is the name of the disease that destroys the bile ducts in the liver?

Shutterstock/Nitchakul Sangpetcharakun. Primary biliary cholangitis —which the Mayo Clinic says is a chronic disease that destroys the bile ducts in your liver—doesn't typically have super-noticeable symptoms, but one early sign is experiencing itchy skin.

What does it mean when your liver is cirrhosis?

It could be a sign you have liver cirrhosis, a disease that develops slowly and replaces healthy liver tissue with scar tissue, blocking blood flow through the liver and inhibiting the organ from working properly. For more weight loss inspiration, check out The 50 Best 5-Minute Exercises Anyone Can Do. 8.

What happens when you have liver failure?

When you're experiencing liver failure, your organ can't properly remove toxins from the blood, and that can result in them building up in the brain —aka hepatic encephalopathy. Unfortunately, one of the results of that is memory loss.

What is the function of the liver?

As one of the body's largest organs, it's responsible for metabolic functions like converting nutrients from your diet so your body can use them and making sure toxic substances are flushed out before they cause any harm, according to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. But when your liver is in trouble ...

Why does my urine turn dark after eating?

If your bloating can't be blamed on a big meal, it might be due to the buildup of fluid in the abdomen, which is known as ascites. Since abdominal swelling is one of the warning signs of liver damage, it's a good idea to make a doctor's appointment, just in case. Your urine is a darker color than usual.

How do you know if you have liver damage?

Here are symptoms of liver damage that should be taken seriously: 1. Skin and Nail Changes. One visible symptom of liver damage changes in the color of your skin. If your skin starts becoming paler or yellowish and your nail tips turn yellow your liver is not performing well and requires help.

Why is the liver important?

Its primary function is to breakdown nutrients from the food we eat and help with digestion. It performs several other functions which makes it important to pay attention to the health of your liver. Here are symptoms of liver damage that should be taken seriously: 1.

Where is the liver located?

The liver is located near the rib cage when liver health starts deteriorating it causes pain in the lower abdomen and ribs. Ascites can develop if the problem goes untreated.

What is the term for the liver damage caused by alcohol?

This is referred to as fibrosis. When extensive fibrosis has occurred, alcoholic cirrhosis develops.

How to improve liver function?

In addition to reducing your alcohol intake, you can also take the following steps to help boost the health of your liver: Eat a healthy diet. Try to eat a diet rich in fresh produce, whole grains, and lean protein. Limit foods that are high in sugars, unhealthy fats, and refined carbohydrates. Break a sweat.

How long does it take to get rid of fatty liver?

Alcoholic fatty liver disease can be reversed by abstaining from alcohol for at least several weeks. The exact amount of time can vary by individual. For some, abstinence may need to be permanent. If someone with this condition has alcohol use disorder, a healthcare provider will need to set up a treatment plan.

What is it called when you drink alcohol and you have liver problems?

When liver damage has happened due to alcohol, it’s called alcohol-related liver disease. Below, we’ll explore the early signs of alcohol-related liver disease, what alcohol actually does to your liver, and what steps you can take in your day-to-day life to improve your liver health.

How to reduce liver fat?

Regular exercise can help reduce excess fat in your body, including fat in your liver. Manage weight. Having obesity can increase your risk of alcohol-related liver disease. If you’re overweight or obese, work with your doctor to develop a weight loss plan that’s right for you. Mind your medications.

Where is the liver located?

Your liver is the organ found on the upper right side of your abdomen, just under your ribs. It has many functions that are essential to your health, such as: Various substances can damage your liver. While liver tissue can regenerate, continued damage can lead to the buildup of scar tissue.

Can alcohol cause liver disease?

Alcohol consumption. Although drinking in moderation can cause some degree of fatty liver, consuming high quantities of alcohol over a long period of time puts you at an increased risk of alcohol-related liver disease. Sex. Women are more likely to develop alcohol-related liver disease than men. Obesity.