Liver dysfunction and common symptoms

The liver plays a vital role in the metabolism of nutrients and several other bodily functions such as glycogen storage, plasma protein synthesis, and detoxification. The liver also produces bile, an important fluid in digestion.

The liver is considered the body's chemical factory because it is responsible for and regulates many biochemical reactions. Essentially, the liver acts as a filtering and refining plant. Furthermore, the liver plays a key role in removing toxic products from the blood, whether produced in the intestines or endogenously (produced by the body). The liver converts these into substances that the body can easily eliminate. In addition, the liver helps stabilize human emotions.

Like other organs, the liver can be damaged by viruses, bacteria, and various diseases. Liver dysfunction is a very common problem affecting many people. Often, patients only discover they have impaired liver function through blood tests.

When liver function declines, it poses immeasurable dangers to human health, potentially leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and significantly affecting other organs. Therefore, be vigilant for liver disease if your body shows any unusual signs.

3 signs of impaired liver function

Jaundice. Jaundice is the first sign of liver damage. Physiological jaundice: commonly occurs when infants are 1-7 days old. However, the infant still eats and sleeps normally, and this phenomenon will resolve on its own without treatment and is not dangerous.

Pathological jaundice manifests in the following three stages:

Pre-hepatic jaundice (before bile is produced by the liver): This is caused by the destruction of red blood cells, leading to an excessive increase in hemoglobin, which overloads the liver and renders it unable to conjugate and excrete all the bilirubin. As a result, bilirubin levels rise in the blood, causing jaundice.

Jaundice caused by liver problems: When the body suffers from liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc., the liver exceeds its capacity to metabolize and excrete bilirubin, leading to jaundice.

Posthepatic jaundice (jaundice that occurs after bile is produced in the liver): Due to bile obstruction, the liver does not allow bile to be secreted into the intestines, leading to jaundice.

Elevated liver enzymes: Causes of elevated liver enzymes above 40 IU/L may include: excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption, herbal poisoning, food poisoning, viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, etc. Symptoms include: headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, digestive dysfunction, etc. Elevated liver enzymes predict a gradual reduction in life expectancy. Prolonged elevated liver enzymes increase the risk of complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Itching and boils. Cause: The liver is responsible for neutralizing toxins and eliminating bile salts. If liver function is impaired, these substances accumulate in the body and deposit on the skin, causing irritation and itching. Symptoms: Itching may be localized to a single area of ​​skin or spread throughout the body. Itching may occur occasionally but can also last continuously for months or even years. Patients feel an itchy sensation on the skin, but if they don't scratch, the itching will eventually subside.

4 common liver diseases

- Liver failure: Liver failure is a condition where the liver's function is impaired or completely lost due to viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, etc.; continuous and long-term use of certain medications such as paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, mushroom poisoning; and long-term use of alcohol and tobacco. Symptoms include: Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes); nausea and vomiting; fatigue and general weakness; difficulty concentrating and disorientation; drowsiness; abdominal swelling; and easy bleeding. Complications: If left untreated, the disease can lead to extremely serious consequences such as viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.

- Fatty liver disease: When liver enzymes increase suddenly and abnormally, the liver becomes "dry" and stops secreting fluid, also known as liver cirrhosis. Symptoms include fatigue, exhaustion, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and dark urine. You should see a doctor to prevent dangerous complications.

- Hepatitis: Caused by infection with Hepatitis A, B, C, D viruses, etc. Symptoms: In the early stages, it causes cirrhosis, leading to impaired liver function, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, digestive disorders, indigestion, aversion to fatty foods, and bowel dysfunction. In the late stages, patients may die from complications such as infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hepatic coma.

- Fatty liver disease: Caused by the long-term accumulation of fat in the liver, leading to metabolic disorders. Symptoms include pain, discomfort, or heaviness in the abdominal area. Other symptoms may include jaundice, loss of appetite, weakness, abdominal pain, and nausea. Complications: If left untreated, 50% of people with fatty liver disease will develop fibrosis, with up to 15% progressing to cirrhosis and 4% developing liver cancer.

Prevention and treatment of common liver diseases

Upon discovering any of the above conditions, patients should strictly follow their doctor's treatment plan. Simultaneously, they should incorporate some simple daily measures to help maintain overall health and better protect the liver, such as:

Eat plenty of fresh, dark green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and water spinach. Also, eat fruits like walnuts, avocados, and berries, and drink 2 liters of water per day.

Limit spicy foods because they can easily cause the digestive system to become "heated," disrupting liver function.

Exercise regularly and get enough sleep.

Most importantly, it is mandatory to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages, carbonated drinks, and stimulants such as beer, wine, and coffee.

According to Agriculture