The liver is an organ that plays an extremely important role in the body. The liver provides over 500 functions, including processing digested food, fighting infections, producing bile, regulating hormones, and counteract and killing drugs and toxins. Any abnormality in the liver must be addressed thoroughly since the liver provides so many important purposes in the human body. Hence, it is imperative that an understanding of the symptoms of a diseased liver be common knowledge.

Jaundice: Jaundice is a primary result of an ailment in the liver. Jaundice is the yellowish discoloration of the skin and/or the whites of the eyes and a dark yellow coloration to the urine. One of the liver’s functions is to remove toxins from the blood. Bilirubin is a waste product and is taken into the liver. When there is too much bilirubin in the blood, jaundice can occur.

Light colored stools and some bowel problems can be a result of liver abnormalities. The dark color of stools comes, for the most part, from bile. When there is not enough bile being produced, or when the bile ducts are blocked, the color of the stool is pale.

Sometimes the nails can reveal liver problems. White nails, nails with a blue linula, or white lines that travel across the nail, can all be symptoms of liver disease.

Weight loss, anemia , and chronic nausea can be signs that the liver is not functioning properly. Cirrhosis of the liver is the disease of the liver that presents these symptoms most often.

A swollen abdomen often accompanies liver ailments. Pain and distention under the right lower ribs is an indication that testing of the liver are appropriate.

Excessive thirst and frequent urination are often signs of liver disorder. Though they are not exclusively related to liver diseases, they certainly should not be ignored as related symptoms.

Increased bruising and nose bleeding might be a signal of liver problems. Liver disease can cause a decrease in the blood’s ability to clot.

Some other less common, but sometimes reported liver disease symptoms are: irritability, depression, headaches, and dizziness.

The most important step in recognizing any disease is, of course, a thorough medical examination. Doctors will run the appropriate tests and use their diagnostic skills to ascertain the nature of the malady. Are there preventive measures that can be taken to aid
in keeping the liver healthy? Yes, there are.

Drink alcohol moderately. Women are even more prone to liver conditions related to alcohol consumption than men.

Sometime, liver malfunctions do not become apparent for many years. Ask your doctor to run any tests necessary to keep track of liver health.

Watch your diet. Obesity is one of the main causes of Fatty Liver Disease.

Stop smoking. Smoking has been linked to the development of liver cancer.

Take protective measures to avoid Hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis can be spread through sexual activity, and contact with an infected person’s blood.

It is absolutely vital that the liver is taken care of, because your liver does so much to take care of you.