7 Signs Your Liver Is Dying: Don't Miss These Alarming Symptoms

Your liver is a vital organ that quietly keeps you healthy by clearing toxins, aiding digestion, balancing hormones, and storing energy. When your liver starts having problems, it usually doesn't send out loud alarms, especially in the early stages of the issue. "That's why it's important to know the warning signs that your liver may be dying so you can act before it's too late."

This article will look at 7 key signs of end-stage liver disease, what causes liver damage, and how early detection can help protect your health. 

Why Is Liver Health So Important?

Liver health is essential because the liver performs over 500 functions, such as: 

• It eliminates harmful substances from your blood. 
• It produces bile to digest fats. 
• It regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
• It stores vitamins and minerals.
• It supports immune function.

When your liver isn't functioning correctly, your body struggles to manage essential tasks, and this can lead to liver failure. The last stage of this condition is called liver cirrhosis, or end-stage liver disease, and it can be life-threatening if you don't get the proper medical care. 

7 Signs Your Liver Is Dying

Your liver may be silently failing. Here are 7 warning signs that may indicate it's dying and require immediate medical attention. 

1. Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice) 

One of the most common signs that your liver is dying is jaundice. It occurs when your liver is unable to process bilirubin properly. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced when your body breaks down old red blood cells.

If bilirubin builds up in your blood, you'll notice a yellow color in the whites of your eyes and skin. Your pee and poop could be dark. Jaundice often means your liver is not functioning, so don't ignore it. It's a clear indication that something isn't working as it should.

2. Swelling in the abdomen (Ascites)

If your belly feels unusually bloated, tight, or heavy, it might be due to ascites. This occurs when fluid accumulates in your abdomen because your liver isn't functioning correctly. When the liver becomes weak, it can lead to high blood pressure, which causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels. 

You'll likely notice your belly getting bigger, and you may gain weight due to the accumulation of fluid. It could also be hard to breathe or get comfortable when you lie down. If it gets awful, ascites can cause infections or kidney issues, which are serious problems if you have end-stage liver disease.

3. Bleeding and easy bruising

If you've got bruises popping up out of nowhere, your nose is bleeding excessively, or your gums are bleeding too much, your liver may be in trouble. When a liver deteriorates, it struggles to produce enough clotting factors, which are proteins that stop bleeding. This makes you bruise or bleed more easily, even from minor bumps. 

Other things to watch out for are heavy or long periods, and blood in your vomit, pee, or poop. Don't ignore these things, because they could mean your liver is failing badly and you need to see a doctor right away.

4. Mental confusion or memory issues (Hepatic Encephalopathy) 

Did you know that your liver and brain are connected? If your liver isn't eliminating toxins from your blood, those harmful substances can reach the brain, causing hepatic encephalopathy. This can cause neurological problems like brain fog, being forgetful, trouble focusing, and even mood swings.

You might also experience personality changes, slurred speech, confusion, and sleepiness. In worse situations, it could even lead to a coma. These symptoms mean that your brain isn't working right because of toxins caused by advanced liver dysfunction. 

5. Chronic Fatigue and Weakness

Do you always feel tired for no good reason? This could mean your liver is struggling. When it can't store and release energy or eliminate toxins effectively, you may feel tired all the time. You may also notice your muscles becoming weak, feeling less intense, and losing motivation, as well as experiencing trouble sleeping or feeling worn out in both body and mind, even after rest. 

Feeling tired is a common sign of many problems, often overlooked as an early yet crucial indication that your liver isn't functioning correctly.

6. Dark Urine and Pale Stool 

Your pee and poop can give you clues about your liver. If your pee's dark, it could mean too much bilirubin is building up. Pale poop might point to the fact that bile is not reaching the intestines the way it should. These changes often result in disrupted bile flow, possibly due to a blockage or liver damage. Catching these symptoms early can help identify liver problems before they get worse.

7. Nausea, Vomiting, and Loss of Appetite

When your liver doesn’t function properly, it can lead to digestive problems. You may experience constant nausea, unexplained vomiting, or a bitter taste in your mouth that just won't go away. Your appetite could disappear, and you might lose weight quickly without trying. 

You may also feel full quickly, even if you barely ate anything. This is more than just a regular stomach ache. It's a sign that your body is having an increasingly complex time processing waste and nutrients as liver function deteriorates. 

What Causes Liver Failure?

Remember, end-stage liver disease doesn't happen overnight. Usually, it's caused by long-term liver injury or underdiagnosed liver disease. 

Common Causes

These are common underlying causes of liver damage that can result in liver failure if left untreated. 

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): This condition refers to fat that builds up in the liver without alcohol. It typically occurs due to obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels. 
• Chronic hepatitis B or C infections: These are long-term viral infections that can cause liver damage and inflammation over time. This can eventually lead to serious problems like cirrhosis or even liver cancer.
• Autoimmune liver disease: In this condition, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy liver tissue, leading to chronic inflammation and scarring. 
• Genetic conditions: Some inherited conditions, such as Wilson's disease, can cause copper accumulation, or iron (hemochromatosis) can build up in your liver, which isn't beneficial.
• Toxin or drug overdose (e.g., paracetamol/acetaminophen toxicity): Overconsumption of certain medications or toxins can cause sudden and severe liver damage.

When to See A Doctor?

You should seek medical help if you are experiencing two or more of the above symptoms. Liver disease can progress silently, and by the time symptoms show, the damage may be advanced.

How Liver Function Tests Help? 

A liver function test (LFT) is a blood test that checks the levels of enzymes, proteins, and bilirubin to give you an idea of how well your liver is working. At Redcliffe Labs, we have cost-friendly liver health tests that include:

1. ALT (SGPT): It is an enzyme that is elevated when liver cells are damaged, indicating liver inflammation or injury.
2. AST (SGOT): This is another enzyme that indicates liver or muscle damage when elevated, often measured in conjunction with ALT.
3. Alkaline phosphatase: A liver enzyme that increases with bile duct blockage or liver disease.
4. Bilirubin (direct and indirect): A waste product from red blood cells; high levels suggest liver dysfunction or bile flow issues.
5. GGT (Gamma-glutamyl transferase): A sensitive marker of liver or bile duct problems, often elevated in alcohol-related liver damage.
6. Albumin and total protein: Low levels may indicate poor liver function and reduced ability to make essential proteins.

Can Liver Damage Be Reversed?

Yes. Liver damage can be partially reversed. Your liver can regenerate, and if the underlying cause is diagnosed early, lifestyle modifications can help manage the condition and even improve it. For example: 

• Fatty liver disease, like NAFLD, can often be reversed. Healthcare providers typically recommend lifestyle changes, including weight loss, a healthy diet, and regular exercise.
• Alcoholic liver damage may reverse or improve if you quit alcohol. 
• Viral hepatitis, like Hepatitis B or C, can be managed or cured with antiviral medications, reducing further damage.

However, advanced liver damage like liver cirrhosis or end-stage liver failure is usually not reversible. Early detection and timely medical interventions can slow its progression and manage symptoms.

Conclusion: 

Your liver is remarkably resilient because it can regenerate, but only if you notice something is wrong as soon as possible. Ignoring symptoms like yellow skin, swelling, or feeling confused can be fatal. 

6 Essential Tips to Protect Your Liver

Keep your liver protected with:

1. Limiting or quitting alcohol
2. Eating a liver-friendly diet
3. No self-medication
4. Get vaccinated for hepatitis
5. Exercise regularly
6. Book annual liver function tests (LFTs) if you are at risk

Healthy Liver. Healthy Life. Choose Redcliffe Labs.

Your liver health matters. At Redcliffe Labs, you can undergo a comprehensive range of full-body checkups, as well as liver function tests (LFTs), which can help detect liver issues early. 

Call 898 898 87 87, or download the Redcliffe Labs mobile app to schedule your test online because your liver won't wait. 

How to book a test online?

• Visit the official Redcliffe Labs website: https://redcliffelabs.com/.
• Search for the specific test you need. 
• Add the test to the cart. 
• Complete the payment process online.

You will receive confirmation through SMS and WhatsApp.

FAQs

1. Can we reverse liver damage?

Yes, in many cases, early-stage liver damage can be reversed. The liver has a unique ability to regenerate itself, especially when the underlying cause is identified and treated promptly, along with proper lifestyle changes. 

2. What are the early warning signs of liver disease?

Fatigue, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, nausea, and unexplained weight loss are some early warning s of liver disease. 

3. What tests are done to check liver function?

Standard liver function tests include AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, GGT, albumin, and total protein. 

4. Besides alcohol, what causes liver damage?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis B and C infections, autoimmune liver disease, genetic conditions like Wilson's disease or hemochromatosis, and medication overdose can all cause liver damage.

5. Is liver damage painful?

Yes, in some cases, liver damage can be painful. You may experience a dull or sharp pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.