9 unexpected warning signs from your liver.
The liver has many functions that are essential for maintaining good health. As one of the largest organs in the body, when the liver malfunctions, it sends out warning signals.
1. Severe itching
Primary biliary cholangitis—a chronic disease that destroys the bile ducts in the liver—often has no prominent symptoms, but a common early sign is itching. Itching may simply be due to dry skin, but if it becomes too frequent, it should prompt a medical check-up—especially since itching is also a sign of cirrhosis.
2. Gaining a lot of weight
If you suddenly gain weight for no apparent reason, your liver could be the culprit. This could be a sign of cirrhosis, a slow-progressing disease in which liver tissue is gradually replaced by scar tissue, blocking blood flow through the liver and preventing it from functioning properly.
3. Red palms
Another warning sign is a sudden, unexplained red discoloration of the palms. This could be due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition that occurs when too much fat accumulates in the liver cells of people who drink very little alcohol—or abstain completely.
4. Memory loss
Forgetting where you put your car keys is one thing, but if your memory has been significantly declining lately, there could be a reason. When the liver fails, it can't remove toxins from the blood, leading to their buildup in the brain – a condition known as hepatic encephalopathy. One of the consequences is impaired memory.
5. Enlarged breasts in men
One of the most shocking warning signs of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) in men. It's a very puzzling phenomenon, but there is one explanation: the excessive growth of breast tissue – or gynecomastia – is thought to occur due to an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone hormones.
6. Easily bruised
As you age, your body may start to bruise more easily because your skin becomes thinner. However, if there's really no explanation for why you're getting so many bruises, then you should consider the possibility of liver disease.
7. Swelling of the feet and ankles
Liver disease can be caused by everything from alcohol use to obesity, and a common warning sign is swelling in the legs and ankles. If you experience swelling and don't know why, it's essential to see a doctor to ensure nothing serious is happening.
8. Always feeling chills
Do you always feel cold no matter how many blankets you use? That could be a sign of cholestasis, which occurs when the flow of bile is reduced or completely stopped.
9. Dry eyes or dry mouth
There are many different reasons for dry eyes or dry mouth—from age to medication—but one culprit may be far more serious. Primary biliary tract inflammation is known to cause this problem, but thankfully it's an early symptom of a chronic condition.