5 earliest warning signs of liver damage, don't ignore

The liver, the largest internal organ in the body, is responsible for many functions. It regulates blood clotting, removes toxins like alcohol from the blood, aids in the production of bile, and many other functions.

Liver disease is a broad term that encompasses a variety of conditions that impair normal liver function, says Dr. Douglas Weine, a gastroenterologist at Hackensack Meridian Medical Center. Liver conditions include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and even cancer.

"Signs and symptoms of liver disease often don't appear until the liver is significantly damaged," says Bubu Banini, MD, associate professor of medicine and hepatology at Yale School of Medicine.

Liver disease can sometimes progress silently without many people knowing (Illustration: Istock).

Warning signs of liver damage

Symptoms of liver disease can appear immediately, but sometimes they can develop silently. So how do you know when your liver is in trouble? Here are the 5 most common warning signs of liver disease according to The Huffpost :

- Yellow skin or eyes

“A subtle sign of liver disease is yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, known as jaundice,” says Dr. Banini.

This occurs when there is too much bilirubin, a pigment produced during the natural breakdown of red blood cells in the body. Bilirubin is normally processed and removed from the body by the liver, but too much can cause jaundice and indicate liver problems.

While high bilirubin levels aren't always a big problem for adults, the underlying problem that causes them can be. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor if you notice any signs of jaundice in your skin or eyes.

- Dark urine even when you have drunk enough water

Dark urine is usually not a cause for concern for most people. It is usually a sign that you need to drink more water.

But people with liver disease often have dark urine, too, says Dr. Weine. This is due to a buildup of bilirubin, which can turn urine dark orange, brown, or amber. If you’re drinking water normally and still notice problems with your urine color, it could be a sign that something else is going on.

- Confusion

We all forget things from time to time, but major changes in mental state should not be ignored. They can be a sign of liver problems or other underlying problems. If you experience confusion or other mental changes, seek help immediately.

"A healthy person can still develop acute liver failure, which manifests as changes in mental status or personality such as disorientation, confusion, or drowsiness," says Dr. Banini.

- Swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen

According to the Mayo Clinic , cirrhosis slows blood flow through the liver and increases pressure in the veins that carry blood through the organ. Pressure in the portal vein can cause fluid to build up in the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites). Edema and ascites can also occur if the liver cannot make enough of certain blood proteins, such as albumin.

- Easy bruising and bleeding

People with liver damage may bruise or bleed easily when injured, says Dr. Weine. This happens because the liver produces proteins that blood needs to clot, so when the liver isn't working properly, you're more likely to bleed.

Liver problems are not something to be ignored. Heavy or moderate alcohol use, type 2 diabetes, sharing needles, exposure to toxins, or a family history of liver disease are all risk factors for liver damage.

Risk factors that increase your chances of developing liver disease

- Exposure to toxins

According to Master.BSCK II Phan Thi Minh Huong, a gastroenterologist, Department of Examination & Internal Medicine, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital, while the liver is responsible for cleaning toxins from the body's blood, too much exposure to toxins can still be harmful because it exceeds the liver's ability to eliminate them.

Toxins can come from all sources of exposure in our daily lives, even the food we consume. Therefore, you need to pay attention to washing fruits and vegetables before processing to ensure that your body does not accidentally consume too much plant protection substances, including pesticides.

- Unclear drugs and functional foods

Not all drugs and supplements, whether labeled as "natural" or "herbal", are necessarily good for the human body.

In fact, many herbs and supplements have been linked to liver damage. In fact, in people who already have liver disease, these over-the-counter supplements that are purported to help the liver can actually make liver damage worse.

- Excessive alcohol consumption

Alcoholic fatty liver, which causes inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis), eventually scarring (cirrhosis) and even liver cancer, is a process that begins with prolonged consumption of at least 4 drinks per day for men and 2 drinks for women.

By the time the patient discovers external symptoms, the liver is already damaged and cannot be repaired or restored to its original state.

However, one thing that can still be saved is that if you stop drinking alcohol at the fatty liver stage, the liver can recover to near normal.

- Have metabolic disorders

Metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can also lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer.

- History of liver disease

Even if you or a family member has had liver disease, you may still be more susceptible to liver disease than the general population. For example, hepatitis B or C and hemochromatosis are risk factors for liver cancer.

If a relative has a history of hereditary liver disease, such as hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease or alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, the patient should pay attention to early symptoms and actively avoid factors that can harm the liver, such as drinking alcohol.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/5-dau-hieu-canh-bao-som-nhat-gan-bi-ton-thuong-ban-cho-bo-qua-20250517075858391.htm