by The liver does most of the work.
The largest internal organ, it regulates clotting and removes toxins, but research suggests that many of us live with compromised liver function – and don’t even know it.
It is estimated that more than 100 million people in the United States have some form of liver disease, a broad term used to describe several conditions, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatitis, and liver cancer.
Described as a “silent epidemic,” experts suspect that between 80 and 100 million adults in the United States have NAFLD.
As its name suggests, NAFLD is characterized by the presence of fat in the liver.
The main cause is weight gain, as well as metabolic risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high triglycerides and obstructive sleep apnea.
The disease is also known as MASLD (steatotic liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction), reflecting the association between fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome. Fatty liver disease is associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Although preventative measures such as diet, exercise, and abstaining from alcohol can help prevent liver disease, problems arise because symptoms are subtle or absent altogether.
Dr. Bubu Banini, a hepatologist and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine, told HuffPost, “The signs and symptoms of liver disease usually do not appear until there is liver damage. important,” said Dr. Bubu Banini, a hepatologist and assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine. Medicine, recently told HuffPost.
Experts like Banini urge people to see a doctor if they experience the following problems.
Easy bruising and bleeding
The liver produces proteins that the body needs to form blood clots.
When the liver is damaged or no longer functions, people are more prone to bleeding and bruising, a common side effect, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Confusion and brain dysfunction
A health professional should always be interested in a change in mental status or cognitive function. Yet experts say an unexpected cause of brain fog and cognitive impairment is advanced liver failure.
“A person who is otherwise healthy may develop acute liver failure which could manifest as changes in their mental state or personality, such as disorientation, confusion or drowsiness,” Banini told Huff Post .
Specifically, hepatic encephalopathy is brain dysfunction caused by liver problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which experts say can occur by affecting:
- Mood and personality
- Behavior and impulse control
- Memory, concentration and reflection
- Consciousness, lucidity and sleep habits
- Coordination and motor functions
- Autonomy and ability to take care of oneself
Jaundice
Banini notes that liver disease can manifest as jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or eyes. When the body breaks down red blood cells, it creates the pigment bilirubin, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Typically, the liver processes and eliminates bilirubin, but too much of it can cause jaundice and indicate liver problems.
Dark urine
If you’re adequately hydrated but notice your urine has a persistent dark tint, it could be a sign of serious liver disease.
Just as excess bilirubin pigment can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes, it can turn urine darker, orange or amber hues.
Fueled by cirrhosis swelling
Cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, can cause swelling in the ankles, legs and abdomen.
According to the Mayo Clinic, cirrhosis slows blood flow and increases pressure in the portal vein of the liver. This pressure can cause fluid buildup; when fluid accumulates in the legs, it is called edema; in the abdomen, we speak of ascites.
Swelling may also indicate that the liver is not producing enough blood proteins.
