The liver is a large organ in the abdomen that has a variety of functions. It cleans toxins and waste products from the blood, and it also makes proteins that assist in blood clotting. The liver can be damaged by some poisons (such as alcohol), viruses (like hepatitis) and other health problems. Liver problems can cause a variety of different symptoms due to liver dysfunction.
Abdominal Symptoms
Many patients with a liver problem experience pain in their abdomen, particularly in the upper-right quadrant. As the Merck Manual indicates, some patients also develop an enlarged liver (also known as hepatomegaly). Ascites, which is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, can also be a symptom of liver disease.
Jaundice
One of the liver's main functions is to help remove a protein called bilirubin from the blood. If the liver is unable to do this, bilirubin builds up and gets deposited in the skin and the whites of the eyes. As the Mayo Clinic explains, this causes jaundice, which is a characteristic yellowing of these tissues.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Patients with liver problems may also experience bleeding into their gastrointestinal system. This is because many veins within the body send blood directly to the liver. When the liver becomes damaged, this blood flow can become backed up, leading to swelling of these veins. The veins that are near the surface of the esophagus and colon can break, leading to sudden bleeding into the digestive tract. This can result in the vomiting of blood or in blood appearing in the stool.
Bleeding Problems
The liver makes a number of proteins that are necessary for the blood to clot properly. If the liver is unable to make these proteins, the blood will have impaired clotting, leading to easy bruising and bleeding.
Skin Problems
Liver disorders can also lead to a chronic itching that will not go away. Other skin manifestations include general redness (especially on the palms) as well as small blood vessels being evident on the chest and face.
