On a park bench, two old friends met and involuntarily talked about health issues.
Recently, I always feel tired and want to sleep at every turn. A friend complained.
yes, me too. Moreover, my ** looks yellow and not as energetic as it used to be. Another responded.
The two looked at each other and smiled, but there was a hint of concern. This focus on health is not uncommon, especially at their age. As we age, various problems can occur in various parts of the body, but many people may not realize that these changes are sometimes a precursor to more serious health problems.
The liver, as one of the most important organs of the human body, has a direct impact on the functioning of the entire body. However, many people lack adequate awareness of liver problems. If the liver is not good, what will be the manifestations of the body?What do these signs mean?
When liver function is impaired, bilirubin in the body cannot be metabolized normally, resulting in yellowing of ** and the whites of the eyes, a phenomenon called jaundice. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells and is normally processed by the liver. Under normal conditions, the liver converts bilirubin into bile, which is subsequently excreted from the body. However, when the liver is damaged, bilirubin accumulates in the bloodstream, eventually affecting the color of the eyes and the eyes.
In addition to the visual changes,Jaundice may also be accompanied by itching. This is due to the accumulation of bile salts in the body.
Loss of appetite may be the most direct signal. People with liver disease often experience a decrease in their desire to eat and even lose interest in their favorite foods. It's not just an appetite problem, it's the liver's inability to process and break down food effectively.
This is followed by nausea and vomiting, which often worsen after a meal. This is because the damaged liver is unable to effectively process toxins in the body, which, when accumulated to a certain extent, can negatively affect the digestive system.
Diarrhoea is also a key indicator. Liver insufficiency affects the production and secretion of bile, an important fluid that aids digestion. Without enough bile, the fat in food cannot be broken down adequately, leading to indigestion and diarrhea.
Weight loss usually occurs during the more severe stages of liver disease. Because the liver is unable to process nutrients efficiently, there may be a decrease in body fat and muscle mass, leading to weight loss. In fact, one study showed that up to 65% of people with chronic liver disease lost significant weight.
On the other hand, poor liver function can also lead to weight gain. This is usually due to fluid buildup, medically known as edema. Liver disease causes a decrease in protein in the blood, which helps keep fluid in the blood. When levels of these proteins drop, fluid leaks out of the blood vessels and accumulates in body tissues, especially in the abdomen and legs. This weight gain is not due to fat or muscle gain, but rather to excessive fluid accumulation.
When the liver is stressed or damaged, it often manifests as constant fatigue and fatigue. This fatigue is different from the usual feeling of tiredness, and it does not improve with rest or sleep. The liver serves as the body's chemical factory, responsible for removing toxins, metabolizing drugs, making important proteins, and storing energy. When the function of this critical organ declines, the body is unable to perform these tasks effectively, resulting in a drop in energy levels, which can cause a constant feeling of fatigue.
In one study involving patients with liver disease, more than 65% of participants reported long-term fatigue, confirming a direct association between poor liver function and fatigue. The mechanism of fatigue is related to the liver's inability to efficiently process the body's waste products and toxins, as well as metabolic disorders. This fatigue may be accompanied by changes in mental status, such as difficulty concentrating or memory loss.
In a study of 1,000 patients with liver disease, more than 30% reported symptoms of abdominal discomfort. These symptoms are usually associated with liver inflammation or increased liver size. An increase in the size of the liver may lead to increased pressure in the peritoneal cavity, which can lead to discomfort.
Abdominal discomfort can be a sign of cirrhosis, hepatitis, or other liver problems. Patients with cirrhosis may experience a build-up of ascites, resulting in significant abdominal distention. In addition, an enlarged liver caused by hepatitis can cause similar symptoms.
Normally, urine is yellowish. If the urine becomes as dark as tea, it could be a sign that the liver is no longer able to process toxins in the body effectively. This color change is due to increased levels of bilirubin in the blood, a substance produced by the liver when it processes old red blood cells. For example, one study found that about 60% of people with hepatitis had darkened urine color.
Healthy stools are usually brown in color because bile is broken down in the intestines. If the liver is damaged, the amount of bile flowing into the intestines is reduced, and the stool may turn gray or clay-colored. About 30% of people with cirrhosis have abnormal stool color.
In addition to the color, pay attention to the texture and frequency of the stool. Liver problems can cause loose or greasy stools, or even discomfort. This is because the liver is unable to process fat properly, resulting in an increase in the amount of fat in the stool.
Liver spots, a dark brown spot that appears on **, is one of the external manifestations of poor liver function.
Why do liver spots occur?When the liver is unable to effectively process toxins and hormones in the body, it affects the pigmentation of **. This condition is more common when the liver is damaged or has limited function. For example, studies have found that about 25% of people with chronic liver disease develop liver spots. These spots can be an early warning of hepatitis, cirrhosis or even liver cancer.
In addition to the color change, liver spots may also be accompanied by a slight itching sensation. It is worth noting thatLiver spots are not an absolute marker of liver disease, but their presence should be alarming.
The liver is the body's chemical factory and is responsible for the production of clotting proteins. When liver function is impaired, the production of these clotting proteins is affected, leading to an increased tendency to bleed.
A common example is easy bruising, and even minor bumps or compressions can cause bleeding. Under normal circumstances, these small wounds heal quickly, but with liver insufficiency, the process of blood clotting slows down, making bruising more frequent and noticeable.
Another warning sign is bleeding gums, especially when brushing. While bleeding gums are sometimes associated with dental problems, in the case of poor liver function, it can be a sign of thrombocytopenia or impaired clotting function.