The liver is the single largest organ inside the human body. It is also one of the busiest organs in there. The main function of the liver is to act as a filter for the blood, removing any impurity that may be present and releasing the fresh, clean blood back into the system. It also produces enzymes that help the body convert food into energy. According to Medline Plus, excess amounts of alcohol or a drug is one of the main causes of liver damage. If the tissues of the liver stop functioning, serious problems can occur within the body.
Skin and Eyes That Appear Yellowish
According to the Mayo Clinic, some liver problems can be treated by medicine while others can be serious enough to require surgery. A damaged liver cannot remove bilirubin from the blood. The skin and the white part of the eyes become yellow due to its presence in the blood. This condition is called jaundice, which is one of the major liver damage symptoms.
Abdominal Pain and Swelling
When the liver is no longer able to remove the extra fluid from the body, bloating and swelling of the abdomen is common. Irritable bowel syndrome, which causes significant abdominal pain, is common with people who have some form of liver damage.
Dark Colored Urine
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the byproducts of the blood are filtered through the kidneys and are evacuated through the urine. When these byproducts are out of balance or are not present, the urine is a darker color than usual. It could resemble the color of brewed tea. The smell could also be stronger than normal.
Pale Stool Color
The liver produces bile to help aid in digestion. The bile in the stool is what gives it the normal brown color. When the liver is no longer producing bile, or isnâ??t producing enough bile, the stool will be pale or whitish in color.
Bloody or Tar-Colored Stool
It is also possible for the stool to be tarry or black colored due to the presence of blood. When there is significant liver damage, the liver is unable to produce proteins that help aid in clotting. This can cause increased blood pressure as well as sporadic instances of bleeding. If the bleeding occurs in the digestive tract, it can cause bloody stool. Bloody stool can also be caused by a rectal fissure.
Chronic Fatigue
The liver is one of the key organs in the digestive process. It produces enzymes that help break food down to be converted into energy. When there is significant liver damage, these hormones are not being made, so the food consumed is not being utilized as energy as efficiently as normal. This causes constant fatigue, no matter how much rest is had.
Loss of Appetite
Serious liver damage will result in loss of appetite. A person will have a hard time eating when they do try. This results in serious, rapid weight loss. It can also cause anemia in severe cases.
