The liver performs over 500 functions in the body, divided into four groups: digestion, blood filtration, immune support, and blood clotting. However, liver damage will prevent this organ from performing its biological functions adequately, according to the health website Prevention .
Besides leg swelling, liver damage can also cause jaundice, vomiting, and many other symptoms.
Warning signs of liver disease can appear in the legs. When the liver is damaged and its function is impaired, excess fluid and toxins accumulate in the legs, leading to a condition called peripheral edema. This is accompanied by pain and inflammation in the feet. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, the liver will continue to be damaged and scar tissue will accumulate, leading to cirrhosis.
Peripheral edema commonly occurs in older adults and pregnant women, affecting one or both legs. However, anyone of any age can experience this condition. Therefore, if you experience sudden swelling and pain in your legs, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Warning signs of peripheral edema include swollen legs, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, pain, stiffness, bruising, or skin discoloration after impact. Additionally, patients may experience difficulty walking due to swelling, making it hard to wear socks or shoes.
Besides leg problems, people with liver disease may also experience other symptoms such as loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, or memory problems. Loss of appetite is due to a significant decline in the liver's digestive and blood-filtering functions, leading to increased levels of toxins in the blood, causing nausea and reduced appetite. Additionally, hormones that control hunger, such as leptin and ghrelin, become imbalanced, causing a loss of appetite.
Patients may also experience insomnia because liver damage alters melatonin hormone levels. Since the liver cannot remove toxins from the blood, these toxins affect the nervous system, impairing brain function and memory.
Additionally, it's important to note that some people with liver disease may not experience any symptoms in the early stages. Meanwhile, many others, besides swollen legs, may also experience jaundice, weakness, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, skin rashes, and other symptoms, according to Prevention .
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