The liver is an essential part of the human digestive system. It is responsible for cleansing the blood of toxins, processing medications that enter the body, aiding in fat digestion, storing glucose, and producing proteins necessary for blood clotting, among many other functions, making it one of the most important organs in the body. However, one of the problems with the liver is that its symptoms do not manifest clearly until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Therefore, one must be vigilant and attentive to the signs of liver diseases. Here are the most notable ones:
**Pain**
Pain in the right side of the abdomen can be an indicator of liver disease, as it may signal swelling or a tumor in the liver, which fails to convert food into beneficial nutrients.
**Swelling of the Ankles**
When liver problems are ignored, the affected liver attempts to "repair itself" by forming scar tissue. The more scar tissue there is, the harder it becomes for the liver to function, eventually leading to high blood pressure that causes fluid to accumulate in the legs. This swelling is painless and can affect both legs or thighs; however, gravity makes the swelling more noticeable in the lower parts of the body.
**Weight Gain**
Each year, more and more people start a healthy diet and exercise, yet still experience weight issues. If you are suffering from weight gain that does not seem to result from overeating or hormonal imbalances, you may want to discuss liver dysfunction with your doctor.
**Allergies**
Often, allergies result from liver dysfunction. When there are too many substances entering the bloodstream, the brain recognizes them as allergens.
**Yellowing of the Eyes**
When a person's eyes or skin turn yellow, this is scientifically referred to as jaundice. Jaundice itself is not a disease but a symptom of potential malfunctions. It typically occurs when a diseased liver causes a buildup of excess bilirubin in the digestive system—a yellow pigment formed from the breakdown of dead red blood cells in the liver.
**Chronic Fatigue**
Chronic fatigue syndrome resembles a long-lasting flu-like illness, where a person suffers from symptoms for at least six months before being diagnosed with chronic fatigue. The underlying cause is liver toxicity, which, in a normal state, significantly contributes to supplying energy to the body.
