Liver problems – what are the symptoms?

Liver problems can range from mild liver congestion to severe liver disease. Depending on the problem, many people don’t know they have a liver problem and may only have vague symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is chronic fatigue. These people usually feel lethargic and sluggish during the day, especially in the morning.

Due to the fact that the liver is one of the busiest organs in the body and has many functions, there are a number of problems that can occur with the liver. The three main categories in which these problems fall are:

1. Liver cell disease

2. Problems producing or secreting bile

3. Problems with detoxification

How do you know if you have a liver problem?

Tests are available through standard pathology labs that measure liver enzymes, total protein, albumin, and bilirubin. Although these tests are called liver “function” tests, they indicate whether the liver is damaged rather than how well it is working. In other words, they are used to detect liver diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, as well as liver cells damaged by viruses, bacteria, alcohol, drugs, etc. These tests are not helpful in detecting mild problems of liver congestion and slow detoxification. This is best done by observing your symptoms. However, it’s important to see your doctor and get tested anyway, just to rule out the possibility of liver disease.

An ultrasound can detect if there is a blockage in the bile duct. This is most commonly caused by the presence of gallstones in the bile duct. It is estimated that around 10-20% of people over the age of 40 have gallstones and their presence is related to a high-fat, low-fiber diet. The presence of gallstones in the bile duct often causes nausea and pain. Bile flow through the liver can also be affected, however this can be difficult to detect with standard tests.

General symptoms that may indicate a liver problem

Feel tired and without energy when you wake up.

Energy levels fluctuate throughout the day, with fatigue worsening mid-morning and/or mid-afternoon

Difficulty losing weight

frequent headaches

Bad breath, digestive problems, bloating, gas, indigestion

Food allergies and intolerances that get worse over time

Reactions to many chemicals, including cleaning products, gasoline, paint, perfumes, bleach, etc.

Problems digesting fatty/creamy/oily foods. They can make you feel sick, nauseous, or cause heartburn and reflux.

A yellowish tinge to the skin, eyes, and palms of the hands.

Reactions to medications, particularly headache pills, antibiotics, and antihistamines

An intolerance to alcohol. Either you get drunk very quickly, or you have bad hangovers that are out of proportion to the amount of alcohol you’ve been drinking.

Caffeine gives you a strong high and can keep you awake for hours.

When you eat asparagus, you have a funny smell in your urine

Skin problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes in general, itchy skin

Hot flashes that feel like they are rising from the torso to the head

You often wake up between 1 and 3 in the morning

Please note: The information in this article is not intended to replace a personal relationship with a qualified healthcare professional nor is it intended as medical advice.