If someone were to ask how you’re doing in terms of heart health, you might quickly rattle off your cholesterol levels or recent A1C numbers. But, when it’s about liver health, many could find themselves at a loss. The unfortunate truth is that liver damage often goes unnoticed until it reaches a critical stage. Research published in Hepatology Communications indicates that nearly 96 percent of adults are unaware they have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. To tackle this knowledge gap, it’s essential to understand liver disease and the red flags to look for. Here’s a breakdown from experts to help you feel as well-informed about your liver as you do about other health markers.
What is liver disease?
“Liver disease encompasses any condition that causes ongoing harm or damage to the liver, which can impair its essential functions,” explains Joseph Lim, MD, director of clinical hepatology and digestive diseases at Yale School of Medicine. He notes that these functions include filtering toxins, metabolizing nutrients, producing vital proteins for the immune system and blood clotting, creating bile for fat processing, and storing energy.
Common types of liver disease
Liver disease is actually a broad term that covers several conditions affecting liver functionality. Dr. Kim details five primary types, each originating from different causes:
- Alcohol-related liver disease: This results from damage due to alcohol consumption.
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD): Also known as fatty liver disease, it’s linked to obesity and diabetes.
- Viral hepatitis: This occurs as infections like hepatitis B or C harm the liver.
- Autoimmune liver diseases: These develop when the immune system mistakenly targets the liver.
- Genetic liver diseases: These stem from inherited mutations that cause substance build-up in the liver.
6 liver disease symptoms you shouldn’t ignore
While various liver diseases exist, many symptoms can overlap. Dr. Ritu Nahar, a board-certified gastroenterologist, highlights six which are particularly significant:
- Fatigue: This is often linked to the liver’s reduced ability to convert nutrients into energy.
- Jaundice: The yellowing of skin or eyes occurs when bilirubin, a waste product, accumulates due to inefficient processing by the liver.
- Abdominal swelling: This stems from fluid retention related to increased pressure in liver blood vessels.
- Nausea and loss of appetite: Such symptoms result from disruptions in bile flow affecting digestion.
- Itching: A persistent itch can be triggered by bile components building up in the skin.
- Easy bruising or bleeding: This can happen due to decreased production of clotting proteins.
Sneaky liver disease symptoms that are easy to miss
In addition to the more recognizable signs, there are subtler symptoms that can be easily overlooked. Dr. Nahar describes a few of these:
- Brain fog: MASLD may cause cognitive difficulties due to inflammation, which could easily be mistaken for stress.
- Sleep issues: Alcohol-related liver disease can disrupt sleep as brain chemicals are thrown off, often misattributed to lifestyle.
- Joint pain: Chronic viral hepatitis can cause discomfort in joints due to immune activity, which might be interpreted as arthritis.
- Intermittent fatigue: Autoimmune liver diseases could lead to fluctuating tiredness often dismissed as everyday exhaustion.
What women over 50 should know
Liver disease can develop at any age, yet the risk tends to rise as one gets older. Dr. Kim points out that in adults over 65, the liver starts shrinking, which can hinder its function and increase vulnerability to chronic diseases.
Easy lifestyle changes to support liver health
According to Dr. Kim, the key to promoting liver health lies in reducing stress on the liver. But how can one achieve that?
Switch up your diet
He suggests a low-sugar, low-fat diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and fish.
Get moving
Dr. Kim advises aiming for around 150 minutes of exercise weekly, including resistance training.
Rethink your alcohol intake
To lessen liver strain, consider limiting or completely avoiding alcohol.
Consult your doctor before supplementing
It’s easy to get swayed by social media claims about supplements, but Dr. Kim argues that many can be toxic to the liver. It’s wise to consult a doctor beforehand.
The bottom line on liver disease symptoms
If ignored, liver issues can escalate into serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. However, maintaining liver health doesn’t have to be overly complicated. By being aware of symptoms and making straightforward lifestyle adjustments, you can support your liver for years. And should you notice any worrying signs, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor—early detection of liver disease can make a significant difference.
