The liver performs hundreds of fundamental functions, from filtering toxins to producing proteins that help your blood clot. Liver disease is any condition that damages the liver and interferes with these functions. This means there are many different types, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Some develop slowly over years, while others progress quickly. Here’s information on the physical signs of liver disease to help you recognize when to contact a liver specialist:
Leg Changes
Leg swelling is a common physical sign of liver disease. When the liver is damaged, it may produce less albumin, a protein that helps keep fluid inside blood vessels. Lower albumin levels can allow fluid to leak into surrounding tissue, and scarring within the liver can raise pressure in nearby blood vessels. This can cause fluid to collect mainly in the abdomen and legs. Swelling in the abdomen is called ascites, and swelling in the legs and ankles is called edema. You should see a liver specialist when new body swelling occurs, especially if you have accompanying symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- Loss of Appetite
- Nausea
Skin and Eye Changes
Liver disease can affect the appearance of the skin and eyes, causing easy bruising or yellowing changes. The liver produces many of the proteins needed for blood to clot properly. When liver function declines, the body makes fewer of these proteins, and small injuries that would normally heal without notice may lead to visible bruises. Some people also experience itching or dry skin as substances that the liver would normally remove accumulate in the body.
When the liver cannot process bilirubin, a yellow pigment created when red blood cells break down, the substance builds up in the body. This buildup, a condition called jaundice, can cause the skin and the whites of the eyes to take on a yellow tint. Jaundice affects the eyes because the tissue in the whites of the eyes more easily shows the yellow color of excess bilirubin. The yellowing change is often more noticeable there before it appears elsewhere on the body.
Urine Changes
Changes in urine color can also signal a liver problem. When bilirubin builds up in the blood, some of it may pass into the urine, giving it a dark yellow, amber, or brown appearance. This darkening can occur even when a person is drinking enough fluids if the liver is damaged. Urine changes often appear around the same time as jaundice, since both relate to how the body handles bilirubin. Stool may also become pale or clay-colored, because bilirubin that would normally give stool its brown color is not reaching the intestines as it should.
Check in With a Liver Specialist
If you’ve experienced any of these changes, schedule an appointment with a liver specialist for personalized care. Only a medical professional can determine a diagnosis, as many health conditions cause similar symptoms. To support a thorough consultation, bring a record of when your symptoms began and how they have changed over time. A specialist can guide you through the evaluation process and help you understand your treatment options.
