After a night
of heavy drinking you may feel sorry for your liver, but you probably don’t
give this major organ much thought after that.
After your skin, your liver is the second
largest organ in your body. The liver filters out harmful substances from your
blood and it helps turn food into energy. That is a pretty important function,
so ensuring a healthy liver is mandatory for good health.
There are many different types of liver
disease. Cirrhosis, hepatitis, cysts, cancer and alcohol-related diseases are
just a few of the possible liver problems.
Even if you avoid alcohol, which is toxic to
the liver, you can be susceptible to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
NAFLD is one of the most common causes of toxic liver disease in America.
According to the American Liver Foundation,
between there are between 79,000 and 90,000 Americans living with NAFLD
currently. NAFLD can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and can progress to a point
where a transplant is needed.
Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and high cholesterol
are all risk factors for NAFLD. However, a toxic liver from NAFLD is
preventable and reversible.
According to the American Liver Foundation we
should do the following to prevent NAFLD:
* Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables,
grains and healthy proteins
* Limit consumption of food that is high in
sugars, saturated fats and salt
* Incorporate exercise into our daily
routines
* Keep weight at healthy levels
* Manage diabetes
* Lower cholesterol
* Avoid alcohol
Unfortunately, NAFLD does not have any
symptoms or cause pain for people who have it but the disease progresses to
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) which causes symptoms. If you are
experiencing the following signs of a toxic liver, it is important to consult
with your physician right away.
Untreated NASH can lead to cirrhosis and
scarring of the liver and puts you at risk for risk for liver failure, liver
cancer and the need for a liver transplant.
If you suspect that your liver is toxic, your
doctor can perform a test of your liver function. A blood test that will check
for certain proteins and enzymes in your blood and will reveal what the liver
is producing as well as filtering out.
HERE ARE 6 SIGNS YOU HAVE AN UNHEALTHY LIVER
01. JAUNDICE
Yellowing of the skin, nails and/or the
whites of the eyes is a cause for concern with toxic liver disease. Jaundice is
a sign that liver disease has progressed to cirrhosis and you should seek
medical help immediately.
02. LACK OF ENERGY AND MENTAL CONFUSION
Fatigue, weakness and lack of energy have all
been associated with the progression of toxic liver disease. Fatigue in
combination with nausea, diarrhea and loss of appetite are the first signs of
liver failure. Liver failure requires immediate medical attentions.
The American Liver Foundation says that
toxins can also build up in your brain. This can cause problems with memory,
concentration and sleep. Mental confusion is a symptom of the progressing liver
disease.
03. LACK OF APPETITE
Nausea, vomiting, and/or lack of appetite
have all been linked to toxic liver disease. As a result of the nausea,
patients with toxic liver may also experience weight loss.
Leptin is a hormone that is secreted by the
body to make you feel full after eating. Patients with toxic livers had
increased levels of leptin which could also account for their lack of appetite.
One study suggested that these symptoms in
addition to a blood test for elevated AST (aspartate aminotransferase, a
specific blood enzyme) should be used as a diagnostic tool for NASH and NAFLD.
04. HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND BLOOD CLOTTING
Hypertension and high cholesterol can both be
caused by obesity and they are both also symptoms of underlying liver disease.
You are more likely to have your doctor check your cholesterol levels
regularly, so if these are elevated, have them also check your blood enzymes
for signs of liver disease.
Blood clotting more quickly than normal can
also be related to liver disease. Some patients with cirrhosis of the liver or
liver fibrosis have been observed with blood that clotted easily.
05. SKIN SENSITIVITY AND SKIN PROBLEMS
Itchy skin or spider veins on the surface of
the skin can be a result of edema or swelling happening under the skin. Skin
may also appear red or flushed. In patients who are also diabetic, skin may
look bronzed when liver failure is imminent.
06. SWELLING IN THE ABDOMEN OR LEGS
Noticing swelling in your lower legs or
bloating in the abdomen could be a sign of advanced toxic liver and is a cause
for immediate concern. The inflamed liver causes a build up of fluid that your
liver is not able to process like it would in its healthy state. The swelling
can be painful due to the pressure it puts on the skin and surrounding tissues.
For overweight or obese patients, the
swelling can be disguised by fat in the abdomen and the toxic liver may be
missed by doctors. One study found that obese children were not being
appropriately screened for liver disease by pediatricians, even though they had
the risk factor of being overweight.
