In collaboration with Liver4Life.
Symptoms of liver disease can be difficult to spot, especially early on.
According to a recent study, an estimated 6% – 7% of the world’s population has liver fibrosis and doesn’t know it because they don’t have symptoms1. Often people remain unaware they have something wrong with their liver unless something is diagnosed during tests carried out for another reason. Any symptoms that do show tend to be non-specific and people often dismiss them as being caused by something else.
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The speed that disease develops in the liver is different for everyone and is often down to the person’s predisposition and/or their genetic make up. While lifestyle has a role to play in the majority of liver disease in the UK, there are a number of autoimmune conditions that don’t, including Primary Biliary Cholangitis/Cirrhosis (PBC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)2.
As the liver becomes more irritated and inflamed, symptoms start to occur. The first stage of liver disease is fibrosis, which is the term used to describe mild scarring in the liver and occurs when the liver is repeatedly or continuously damaged or inflamed3. It is a condition that can be reversed if caught in the early stages and steps are taken to prevent further damage – like treatment and/or lifestyle changes.
Identifying and dealing with the cause can usually reverse early fibrosis. If damage is repeated or continuous (as occurs in chronic (long-term) hepatitis, liver cells will try to repair themselves, but the attempts may mean scar tissue occurs3.
Over a period of months and years, this cycle may cause more significant, advanced fibrosis can occur, which may then progress to cirrhosis.
Occasionally, people with fibrosis may experience:
- A dull or aching pain in the top right of the tummy (over the lower right side of the ribs). Patients usually characterise it as a persistent throbbing or stabbing pain4.
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue) and weakness: Researchers have noted that exhaustion and fatigue are the single most common symptom of liver damage. Unfortunately, the specific causes of liver disease-related fatigue and exhaustion are not fully understood. Researchers speculate that the root cause of liver disease-related chronic fatigue may be caused by changes in brain chemistry and hormone levels which result from impaired liver function. In particular, altered levels of corticotrophins, serotonin, and noradrenaline may be at the root of depleted energy levels. Researchers also note that fatigue-related symptoms are likely worsened by a general increase in the presence of toxic by-products in the blood, which the damaged liver cannot properly eliminate5.
- Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite4. People tend to get noticeable symptoms as their liver becomes more severely damaged. As the condition progresses to cirrhosis2, they may also experience:
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, also known as jaundice4: This yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes are as a result of bilirubin (a bile pigment). Bilirubin builds-up in the blood and is unable to be eliminated as waste from the body.
- Vomiting or feeling sick (nausea) 4: persistent feelings of nausea arise from the body’s diminished ability to process and eliminate toxins, a well as changes in metabolism and digestion. Digestive issues, including indigestion and acid reflux can occur with liver damage, and may lead to vomiting attacks.
- Itchy skin4: Again, this relates to high bilirubin levels, and the liver not being able to process the bile. This lack of fluid flow most commonly shows on the surface of the skin in flaky, itchy patches.
- Stomach pain, or a swollen or bloated stomach4: As levels of albumin and proteins in the blood and fluid are retained, it may make people appear pregnant (a condition often referred to as ascites). While ascites can be caused by numerous medical conditions, cirrhosis of the liver is the single most common reason6.
- Dark yellow urine and/or dark, tarry-looking poo and diarrhoea4: Urine may become dark yellow and poo dark black due to increased levels of bilirubin in the body’s bloodstream, which the damaged liver is unable to eliminate via excretion through the kidneys.
- A tendency to bleed or bruise easily4: When the liver becomes damaged, it slows or entirely stops producing the proteins that are necessary for blood clotting, known as platelets.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema) 4: This occurs because impaired liver function inhibits the body’s ability to produce and circulate proteins, which in turn causes circulatory issues that are localised in the legs, feet and ankles because gravity naturally draws fluid down to the lower reaches of the body. Fluid retention can also be caused or worsened by decreased kidney function, which may accompany severe liver damage7.
- Personality changes, confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, or hallucinations4: the liver is unable to filter blood normally and remove harmful substances from the bloodstream therefore toxins can build up and travel to the brain leading to confusion and memory loss, as well as mood changes, impaired judgment, disorientation, sluggish speech and movement, drowsiness and coma, this is sometimes referred to as Hepatic Encephalopathy8.
Other symptoms of severe liver damage may include:
- Fever and shivering attacks4
- Tiny red lines (blood capillaries) on the skin above waist level4
- Loss of sex drive (libido) 4
- Difficulty maintaining weight4
- In women, abnormal periods4
- In men, enlarged breasts, a swollen scrotum or shrunken testicles4
When to see a doctor?
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you. Seek immediate medical attention if you have abdominal pain that is so severe that you can’t stay still
References:
- Ginès, P., Graupera, I., et al. 2016. Screening for liver fibrosis in the general population: a call for action. V1, (3) P256-260, https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(16)30081-4 [Accessed 25 March 2018]
- Public Health England. Liver disease: applying All Our Health. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/liver-disease-applying-all-our-health/liver-disease-applying-all-our-health [Accessed 23 Feb 2018]
- Ismani; Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jan; 15(1): 72–79.doi: 4103/1319-3767.45072. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702953/ [Accessed: 28 March 2018]
- NHS Choices. Cirrhosis. Symptoms. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cirrhosis/symptoms/ [Accessed 25 March 2018]
- Swain, M.G., Fatigue in liver disease: Pathophysiology and clinical management. Can J Gastroenterol. 2006 Mar; 20(3): 181–188.
- com. Ascites. Medical Author: Siamak N. Nabili, MD, MPH. https://www.medicinenet.com/ascites/article.htm [Accessed 25 March 2018]
- NHS Choices. Odema. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/oedema/ [Accessed 25 March 2018]
- The Canadian Liver Foundation. Hepatic Encephalopathy. https://www.liver.ca/patients-caregivers/liver-diseases/hepatic-encephalopathy/ [Accessed 25 March 2018]
I have had a lifestyle of excessive drinking and drugs. I am now 48 and I haven’t had a drink or anything else since June 17, 2017. About a year ago I start having dull uncomfortable pain in my right upper abdominal belly. It freaked me out a little bit when I researched it but I wasn’t terribly concerned due to the fact that I didn’t have the rest of those horrible symptoms. Here a couple of days ago a friend of mine come by and ask if I wanted to do a bump of meth . At first I was like NO cause of the length of my sobriety. After he twisted my arm I ended up snorting two lines. After about two hours the same chronic pay started but with more frequency and much more intense. Ever since then I’ve been suffering and pray to God that this isn’t something life threatening. I’m naturally a worrier and alot of paranoia so if anybody has a good idea of what is going on I need some answers. Thanks
I would say just get it checked out. I have the same pain and have had a similar lifestyle. I dont want to say too much more about my symptoms and liver condition cause You probably are already very concerned. And stay away from “friends” that do meth they wont be there if you get sick. ‘Cause those friends aren’t here for me now that I am on my to getting ill. I DO know that its easier to say then to do. Ive had to say bye to alot of “friends” and it does feel lonely at first. Save yourself before you cant. And please know there are ppl in the same situation out here in the world. Please get it checked out it really is serious.
Manny, alcohol and drugs are extra hard on liver because of their toxicity. If you already know you have a compromised liver, you need to be doing everything possible to help it work with all three phases of detoxification that it does. Otherwise, your lymph backs up and gets super dirty! More than likely the pain you are feeling is your gallbladder. You can get the book the Amazing Gallbladder Flush and start doing those monthly to help clear out the toxins in your body and your biliary canals. Your body probably has parasites or chronic something that is making your bile sludgy. Coffee enemas can help along with cleaning up your diet. You could try the flush or Gerson method for a month and see what happens.
I don’t do drugs, but I did drink moderately. I had an emergency apendectomy and then six months afterwards started having the same pain you are describing. My hands turned ink blue because something was cutting off my blood circulation to my hands! Nothing showed up on CT scan, ultrasound or colonoscopy. Doctors thought I was crazy because nothing was showing up but I still had the pain. The fifth doctor later put me on an anti-herbal fungal, parasite, microbial, bacterial protocol and three weeks into it I was bestowed with a bowl full of parasites. One year later and 150′ feet later of mucosal plaque, tape worms, etc., my liver is burning because I am sure those critters did such damage to my organ. Bile is so important. Without it, your digestion won’t work properly and things begin to stagnate. Good luck.
I am facing the same, e.g pain on my right upper abdomen, so what I do
ask if I wanted to do a bump of meth .
WTF??
What is the point of doing a bump of meth?
Just a little concerned re my Liver, l do have mylepfibrpsisis. Blood cancer my spleen does enlarge and my Liver from time to time.
I need help with my acid reflux. I take medication but have really bad acid reflux while taking the medication. Need some help.
Hi Kenneth. I to suffered from severe acid reflux and ended up on medication, it really didn’t help. I then found myself acid reflux producing lots of fluid in my mouth so I read up on it and one of the trigger foods for that was tomatoes. I did eat quite a lot of tomatoes so I stopped right away and the acid reflux stopped too. Last week I had a meal with tomato sauce and it caused acid reflux again. So no more tomato based foods for me. Hope that info helps you. Best Wishes Lian
Ps. I have a dull but constant pain and a feeling of something enlarged just under the right side of my rib cage I have been waiting to go for a scan since February but due to the Coronavirus the scan has been cancelled indefinitely. In my mind the swelling, the dull pain and the acid reflux are all connected. I just pray it’s something simple and nothing life threatening ?
They are definitely all connected. Dull pain is caused by lack of bile flow or sludgy bile and/or gallstones that originate and back up your liver biliary ducts. The acid reflux is a sign of too little stomach acids which mean your first line of defense from parasites have now been disabled and has been for quite some time when it gets to that stage. Have your tried buying some HCL with pepsin and dosing? Can find info on internet. If you try and it works, then you know you need to clean out liver/gallbladder. I recommend Amazing Gallbladder flush book. Global Healing out of Houston has a good protocol too for liver flush that works. You can release lots of stones that way.
I am feeling same issue,
Drinking the water boiled with raw cabbage leaves can help in acid reflux.
Have been having abdominal pains for months now. No one would see me because of COVID-19. I’m now experiencing pain in my upper right abdomen and I’m absolutely terrified beyond words. I don’t have an appointment for 9 more days. I am terrified it’s cancer. My doctor told me a couple of years ago to get my liver checked out and I never did because I lost my health insurance. I forgot about it until this pain came about and I’m sure I was developing cancer all this time. At this point it would be a death sentence. My intuition is always right and I just have that intuition. I’m only 30. I don’t want my parents to bury me but I am convincing myself with each passing day, more and more, that they will.
what did they find? Why did doc tell you to get liver checked out? High AST ALT? How is your stomach acids? Did they say it was your gallbladder? If interested, I can tell you my journey and see if it helps you at all…
I’m having faith liver for a longtime
Wow! it’s commendable. Every people should read this and they can know more things which they don’t know.
https://iswantosucandyliversurgery.com/
My friend was unfortunately misdiagnosed and it took her almost 8 months to discover that she had a liver cancer 🙁 and the one who helped her to identify that was an online platform called Docspert health that connected her with international doctors, so she didn’t need to go anywhere or travel abroad. The world really needs much more awareness!
I personally know a patient who was previously diagnosed with Virus C and did start getting the appropriate treatment regime for it and was totally doing fine, one day out of a sudden he started complaining of haematemesis and melena and underwent EsophagoGastroDuodenoscopy (EGD), Colonoscopy, laboratory tests, and scans.
He was diagnosed with Liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, portal hypertension, portal vein thrombosis, and splenomegaly, he was totally confused about who to refer to. He was looking forward to seeking consultation from an experienced international expert, he contacted Docspert Health to get his medical opinion and they connected him to a consultant in the U.K with a sub-specialty of HCC and he was given the proper line of treatment for his case keeping in mind his age, special habits, and medical history.
He followed the treatment plan and was totally satisfied with it and he is following up with the expert until the moment.