Keeping an eye open for any early signs of liver problems is an essential part of maintaining a holistic health lifestyle. Without a fully functioning liver, both your health and lifestyle will be compromised. Luckily your liver is capable of repairing itself, so providing that any problems are spotted early, and are not allowed to develop and worsen, your liver is likely to make a full recovery. So you need to be on the alert. Here are some symptoms of liver problems to be on the lookout for. Warning Sign # 1 - Skin discoloration - Jaundice One of the early signs of liver problems relates to the fact your liver will not be able to filter out all of the toxins that you ingest. Added to this there may be a build-up of Bilirubin which is a bile pigment - bile being a substance manufactured by your liver to help with digestion. You body cannot evacuate this Bilirubin which then accumulates in your bloodstream and results in your skin taking on a yellowish hue. This yellowing can also affect your fingernails, the tips of your fingers, and your eyes too. This condition is known as Jaundice. Warning Sign # 2 - Skin sensitivity Another of the early signs of liver problems, and again associated with your skin, is when it becomes itchy or oversensitive to the touch. Keeping the skin moisturized will help, but the condition will continue and will probably worsen until the underlying cause (the problem with the liver) is identified and addressed. Warning Sign # 3 - Changes in the color of Urine and/or Stools If you notice any changes to the color of your urine when you go to toilet, this too may indicate you have a liver problem. All the time that you are drinking sufficient fluids, your urine should be pale and more often than not, clear. If your urine becomes consistently dark in color, (caused by excess Bilirubin in your bloodstream), this is an indication you may have a problem with your liver. It can also affect your stools. A malfunctioning liver may result in your stools becoming pale, bloody, or black. Warning Sign # 4 - Changes in the Abdominal Area Changes taking place in your abdominal area is another of the possible symptoms of liver problems. It may begin with experiencing pain or cramps in the lower abdominal area. This can quickly be transformed into feeling blown out with gas. If left unaddressed a condition known as Ascitis may develop. Ascitis is the name given to a condition whereby there is a buildup of fluid in the wall of your abdomen. This can lead to pressure being exerted on the lungs, which will cause difficulty in breathing. If this condition does occur, you may well have to undergo a Paracentesis, a medical process whereby a needle or catheter will be inserted in your peritoneum cavity in order to drain off the fluid. Warning Sign # 5 - Feelings of fatigue If you begin experiencing feelings of weakness or tiredness/chronic fatigue, this can also mean that you have a problem with your liver. What happens is that your body is being made to work harder in order to survive. The result is that your body will be telling you it needs more rest. If these feelings of fatigue are present along with any other symptoms that are set out here, then you should immediately go and see your doctor for a diagnosis. Warning Sign # 6 - Acid Reflux and Vomiting Another of the early signs of liver problems is experiencing frequent indigestion and acid reflux, which can lead to bouts of vomiting. Warning Sign # 7 - Loss of Appetite Although we are listing the loss of appetite as one of the early signs of liver problems, it frequently doesnt appear until the liver disease has progressed somewhat. If you experience loss of appetites along with any of the other symptoms discussed here, then you should go and see your doctor as a matter of urgency, as it could be a sign that you have a more advanced form of liver disorder. Warning Sign # 8 - Retaining Fluids Fluid retention can also be a tell-tale sign that you have liver disease. It affects the lower legs, ankles, and feet, which become swollen. When the swollen skin is pressed down, an imprint will be left for a few seconds after the pressure is released. Warning Sign # 9 - Diarrhea Because the liver plays such an important part in the digestion process, if it begins to malfunction, this can result in diarrhea. Warning Sign # 10 - Feeling generally unwell Although this particular symptom may be hard to pin down, feeling generally unwell can be one of the signs of liver problems. It relates to the fact that an underperforming liver will not be filtering toxins out of your bloodstream as efficiently as it should, and this can manifest itself in many ways, including skin problems, headaches, and feelings of irritability. Give your Liver the chance to look after you Looking after your liver is a fundamental when it comes down to following a holistic health lifestyle. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, given the chance, your liver has the ability to repair itself, providing that any damage is spotted early, and the correct avoiding action taken. If you do have liver disease, providing it in not chronic, you can live still live an active life but may need to follow a special diet. The good news is that unless you are unlucky enough to pick up a viral infection, if you look after your liver, it will look after you Read more: healthy-holistic-living/10-early-signs-of-liver-problems.html#ixzz2rPULDiqe
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 11:49:31 +0000