the liver is a vital organ that plays a key role in many of the body's essential functions
including metabolism detoxification and digestion liver disease is a condition that affects the
structure and function of the liver there are many different types ranging from those that are benign
and cause no problems to those that can be fatal liver disease often progresses slowly and doesn't
cause symptoms in the early stages however there are some early warning signs to look for that
can indicate if you're at risk and that is the topic of this video keep watching until the end
because there are a few signs that I think will surprise you so if you're ready let's get into it
jaundice is the most common sign of liver disease and is characterized by a yellowish discoloration
of the skin eyes and mucous membranes this occurs when red blood cells finish their
life cycle and secrete a waste product known as bilirubin if the liver isn't able to filter
out this waste product it can build up and cause the skin to take on a yellowish hue
in the case of liver disease jaundice may be an indication that the condition has progressed to
an advanced stage therefore please seek medical attention as soon as possible if you notice
any discoloration of your skin and Ice another warning sign to look for is dark colored urine
healthy urine should be clear or have a pale yellow color however if you notice that your
urine has turned dark or reddish in color this could be an indication of liver problems dark
urine is typically caused by the presence of bilirube which means that your liver may
not be functioning correctly and isn't able to process and expel waste products as it should
this often indicates that bile production has been impaired which is a condition known as cholestasis
cholestasis is a common symptom of liver disease and should be treated as soon as possible by a
qualified medical professional next up is fatigue fatigue is a common symptom of many conditions but
it may also be an early warning sign of liver disease especially if it is accompanied by
other symptoms this occurs because the liver is responsible for filtering out toxins and
other waste products so when it isn't functioning correctly the body can become overwhelmed fatigue
can result in feelings of exhaustion a decrease in energy levels and reduced alertness unfortunately
this can impact your ability to perform daily tasks and can greatly reduce your quality of
life again it's important to note that fatigue alone can be caused by many different conditions
but if it's accompanied by other signs of liver disease it's important to seek medical assistance
another sign to be aware of is a loss of appetite a healthy appetite is important for maintaining
your overall health if you notice that you've been losing interest in food and are unable to eat as
much as you normally would this could be a sign of liver disease when the liver isn't functioning
properly it can cause a decrease in appetite and a reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food this
can lead not only to weight loss but also nutrient deficiencies which can further damage your overall
health and that leads to the next sign which is unexplained weight loss weight loss attributed to
liver disease is often a direct result of a loss of appetite I mean it makes sense right if you're
not hungry as often and aren't taking in enough calories then you're likely going to lose weight
in addition to appetite loss the liver also plays a role in metabolizing fats and carbohydrates
when the liver is not functioning optimally it can cause the body to burn fewer calories and
lead to weight loss over time while the connection between liver disease and unexplained weight loss
is unclear research points to extreme oxidative stress that results from abnormal fat metabolism
in other words the liver becomes compromised and unable to break down fat for fuel next up on our
list is nausea nausea is a common symptom of many illnesses and diseases including liver disease
this occurs because the bile produced by a healthy liver helps to break down food so it can be
digested more easily however when the liver isn't functioning optimally it can't produce enough bile
and this can cause nausea furthermore people who suffer from liver disease also often experience
gastroesophageal reflux this occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and can cause
nausea vomiting and other digestive issues if the liver is unable to filter out toxins and waste
products from the bloodstream these toxins can build up and make you feel sick to your stomach
nausea can also be a side effect of some medications used to treat liver disease
such as antivirals and antibiotics another sign that I should mention is weakness weakness is
a common symptom of liver disease because neuromuscular dysfunction associated with
changes in metabolism is a common consequence of a malfunctioning liver as a result the central
nervous system is affected which can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue in other words if
the central nervous system is unable to receive a normal level of nutrients from the bloodstream
due to the liver's inability to filter out toxins this can result in a feeling of overall weakness
furthermore the liver plays a major role in energy metabolism as it regulates fat metabolism
throughout the body if the liver can't break down fat into glycerol and fatty acids the body
can't use fat stores for energy which results in feelings of weakness and fatigue next up
on our list is swollen legs when the liver isn't functioning properly it can cause fluid buildup in
the lower extremities causing swelling in the feet ankles and legs it can also cause swelling in the
abdomen due to a condition called ascites this is called by a buildup of fluid in the abdomen
due to poor liver function the accumulation of fluid can also make it difficult for your body
to filter out toxins and waste products which can lead to further complications in extreme cases
liver disease can cause a sudden accumulation of fluid in the abdomen called hydrothorax this
can cause abdominal pain and breathing problems this type of Edema is a common symptom of a wide
range of diseases mainly related to problems with the circulatory system however when combined with
other symptoms on this list it can definitely be an indication that liver disease is present
another sign to be aware of is abdominal pain if you've experienced a dull constant pain in the
abdominal region that doesn't go away it could be a sign of liver disease this is especially
true if the pain is located on the upper right side of the abdomen where the liver is located
the pain can be attributed to the fact that when liver disease is present it becomes inflamed
triggering a dull ache in the problematic area however it's important to note that abdominal
pain isn't a clear indication of liver disease on its own but like others that I've mentioned if
it's accompanied by other symptoms it warrants a visit to the doctor for further evaluation
the next sign that I should point out is breast enlargement in men breast enlargement in men is
a condition known as gynecomastia it's an indication of hormonal changes within the
body which can occur as a result of fatty liver disease when the liver is not functioning properly
it causes hormonal changes and high estrogen production unfortunately high estrogen levels
in the bloodstream can naturally result in breast enlargement and mint furthermore water retention
and weight gain can also cause the breasts to swell in myth this is a sign that something is
wrong and should be addressed as soon as possible so just to give a quick recap the top 10 early
warning signs of liver disease include jaundice dark colored urine fatigue a loss of appetite
unexplained weight loss nausea weakness swollen legs abdominal pain and breast enlargement in
men if you want to support the Channel please like And subscribe I would greatly appreciate
it and there should be some other helpful videos popping up on your screen right about now that I
think you will do it and just a quick reminder we are not doctors this video is for informational
purposes only thank you so much for watching have a blessed day and as always breathe easy my friend