Silent Signs You Should Get Your Liver Checked

Your liver is pretty incredible, doing countless jobs to keep you healthy every single day. This essential spongy, wedge-shaped organ gets rid of toxins, destroys old red blood cells, makes bile to help you digest food, helps your blood clot when you get a cut and much more. It’s about the size of a football and weighs 3lb in the average person. In fact, it really is quite remarkable.

But like any major organ it can get damaged by accident, illness, immune conditions or simply not taking care of it properly. The trouble is symptoms of liver disease aren’t always obvious until serious damage has occurred. In the last 20 years early deaths from liver disease have risen by almost 40% in England alone. But knowing the initial signs of liver damage and booking regular liver health checks can make all the difference.

Early Warning Signs Of Liver Problems

Early-stage liver disease is often silent with no symptoms at all. Even if you do experience symptoms, they’re often vague and easily put down to other conditions.

Some of the most common signs of liver problems include unexplained fatigue, mild digestive issues like nausea or loss of appetite, discomfort in the upper right abdomen, and dark urine or pale stools. You might also notice skin changes like spider angiomas – small web-like clusters of blood vessels that appear just under the skin – or red palms.

Some people are more prone to liver disease than others so it’s also important you’re aware of the risk factors. Excessive alcohol consumption over time or drug use can damage your liver, while obesity and a poor diet can also affect it.

Infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C can cause long-term damage if left untreated, while having type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol can increase your chances of fatty liver disease. Certain medications or toxins as well as genetic factors may also play their part.

While symptoms may be nothing to worry about it’s always good to get checked out by your doctor, so they can run tests or put your mind at rest.

More Serious Symptoms That Require Medical Attention

While early signs of liver disease are hard to tell apart from other conditions, there are some symptoms you shouldn’t ignore because they could be signs of advanced illness, and your liver may already be significantly damaged.

Jaundice, when your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow, is a sign something is seriously wrong, and you should see you doctor straight away.

Similarly, if your tummy or legs are swollen, you have severe itchy skin, you have significant, unexplained weight loss, you’re severely fatigued or confused, or you notice you bruise or bleed easily then you should seek medical attention.

You may also notice changes in your bowel and bladder movements with stools that are particularly pale and very dark urine.

If you experience any of these symptoms, they may be signs of advanced liver disease which can be life-threatening and should be treated immediately.

When To See Your GP About Liver Health

Your liver works away quietly and it’s not always obvious that any symptoms you experience are related to this important organ. Signs there’s a problem can build up slowly over time.

Unexplained tiredness is common, but if it doesn’t go away with rest, you should see your GP. If you experience loss of appetite or sudden weight loss without trying, or you suffer nausea and vomiting that lasts for more than a few weeks, then it’s time to book in for a check-up.

Itchy skin, yellowing of the skin, dark urine and pale poo also need further investigation.

Even if you don’t have any symptoms if you have any of risk factors, then you should undergo routine checks to keep on top of your liver health. Early detection can stop liver disease from progressing to more serious conditions.

Emergency Liver Warning Signs That Need Immediate Attention

Acute liver failure or loss of liver function can happen very quickly within days or weeks. You cannot live without your liver so if you notice any of the following symptoms dial 999 or go straight to A&E – it could save your life:

• vomiting blood
• black, dark, tarry stools,
• extreme confusion and/or sleepiness
• severe abdominal pain
• new jaundice
• a swollen tummy
• breath with sweet or musty odour

We understand how frightening it can be if you experience these symptoms, but try not to panic and get medical help immediately, even if you have no previous history of liver disease. Prompt treatment can be lifesaving.

Common Liver Conditions And Their Causes

There are more than 11,000 liver-related deaths in the UK each year, according to the British Liver Trust.

Alcohol-related liver disease is one of the most common causes, resulting from drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when too much fat builds up in the liver, but not as a result of drinking alcohol. It’s more common in people who are overweight, have type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol, or who have a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle.

Another common type of liver disease is hepatitis which you can get by catching a viral infection or by regularly drinking too much alcohol.

Some people may have haemochromatosis – an inherited illness where iron levels build up in the body over years which can damage the liver.

While some conditions are down to genetics and autoimmune conditions, according to the British Liver Trust, nine out of 10 deaths could be prevented by making simple lifestyle changes such as eating healthily, drinking less and losing weight.

Protecting Your Liver Health

Your liver is a workhorse, doing a busy job to keep you healthy. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t do with a helping hand.

Maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol can help keep your liver in good condition. Try to avoid taking medications like paracetamol too often which can put it under strain. And protect yourself against viral hepatitis – get vaccinated, practise safe sex using condoms with new partners and stay on top of your hygiene by always washing hands after going to the bathroom, changing nappies and before eating. If you’re travelling to a country with poor sanitation avoid drinking tap water and eating fresh fruit or vegetables unless they can be peeled.

The liver can regenerate, but it’s not bullet proof. Early intervention can give it a chance to heal and protect you from more serious liver disease but getting regular check-ups is vital, particularly if you have any of the risk factors.

Look After Your Liver

Your liver is responsible for many critical functions in your body so it’s important to take care of it, but early symptoms of liver disease are subtle and often overlooked. Keep an eye out for common signs and get them checked by your doctor straight away, particularly, if you’re at greater risk of liver disease. You only get one liver - look after it and it will look after you.

Sources

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/new-data-released-today-shows-alarming-surge-in-liver-disease-hospital-admissions/

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/liver-disease-profile-april-2024-update/liver-disease-profile-april-2024-update

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/liver-disease/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/common-characteristics-of-liver-disease

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/statistics/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/liver-disease/