The liver is vital for the body. Minor problems with the liver, which is responsible for filtering toxins from the blood, producing enzymes that help digest food, storing sugar and nutrients, ensuring blood clotting and fighting infections, can pose a big risk. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) presents with various symptoms. Failure to notice these symptoms and not intervene in the disease leads to cirrhosis.
DEVELOPED BY YEARS OF INFLAMMATION
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease develops in four main stages and is known as end-stage cirrhosis. According to experts, there is “no cure” for this most advanced stage of damage.
Cirrhosis occurs after years of inflammation and causes your liver to shrink, scar, and become lumpy. Worse, this damage can be permanent and lead to liver failure and cancer.
ATTENTION TO SKIN AND EYE CHANGES
One of the key signs of this irreversible condition can be seen on your skin and eyes. According to health organizations, jaundice is defined as yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes. This yellow tint is caused by the buildup of a yellow substance called bilirubin in your body. Your liver uses bilirubin to make bile, a liquid that helps you digest food. A healthy liver can remove most of the bilirubin from your body.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS OF LIVER DAMAGE
However, liver damage can cause bilirubin to build up in your blood. In addition to yellowing of your skin and eyes, your urine may become darker and your stools may turn clay-colored. These two warning signs are also triggered by an excess of bilirubin. Your skin may also itch intensely and uncontrollably.
SYMPTOMS OF cirrhosis
- feeling very tired and weak
- feeling sick (nausea)
- lose one’s appetite
- Losing weight and muscle mass
- Red spots on your palms and small, spider-like blood vessels (spider angiomas) on your skin above waist level
- To feel extremely frustrated and angry
- itchy skin
- Tar-looking stool
- bleeding or bruising easily
- Swollen legs (edema) or abdomen (ascites) due to fluid buildup
- Loss of sex drive (libido)