Dark Yellow Urine? Acid Reflux? 7 Signs You May Have Liver Damage and Not Even Know It

Keeping an eye open for any early signs of liver problems is an essential part of maintaining a holistic, healthy lifestyle. Without a fully functioning liver, both your health and lifestyle will be compromised. Luckily, your liver is capable of repairing itself. Providing that any problems are spotted early and are not allowed to develop and worsen, your liver is likely to make a full recovery. You need to be on the alert. Here are some symptoms of liver problems to be on the lookout for.

What Happens If I Have Liver Damage?

Liver damage can include anything from heredity (i.e., inherited from a family member), toxicity (i.e., due to chemicals or viruses) to a long-term disease (i.e., Cirrhosis) that can affect your liver for the rest of your life.

The liver helps the body digest food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate toxic substances. Without this abdominal organ, you wouldn’t be able to live.

Causes of liver damage

Liver problems usually occur gradually over many years. The most common cause of liver problems is long-term alcohol consumption. Other causes are: [1]

Various viruses including many types of hepatitis
Malnutrition

Reactions to certain medications
Overuse of certain medications
Exposure to harmful chemicals

Inherited disorders of iron and copper metabolism
Diseases like liver cancer and fatty liver caused by obesity
Diabetics have an increased risk of liver disease

Smoking can dramatically increase the risk for not only lung cancer but also liver cancer
Certain chemotherapy drugs can damage cells in the liver
Too much of vitamin A can cause liver damage

7 Early Symptoms of Liver Damage

Dark yellow urine

This is due to increased levels of the bile pigment in the body that cannot be eliminated by the damaged liver. People may associate it with dehydration, but if they drink enough fluids, it should not happen. [1]

Swollen Abdomen

Cirrhosis, the serious progression of liver disease, causes fluid build-up in the abdomen (a condition referred to as ascites), as levels of albumin and proteins in the blood and fluid are retained. This may actually make the patient appear pregnant. While ascites can be caused by numerous medical conditions, cirrhosis of the liver is the single most common. Sometimes, swelling can also take place in the ankles, as accumulated fluid is drawn down into the body by the forces of gravity. [1]

Diarrhea, constipation or intestinal bleeding

There are noticeable changes in bowel movement. You may have periods of constipation, diarrhea, changes in the stool color or traces of blood in it. [1]

Acid Reflux

If you suffer from increasingly frequent attacks of acid reflux with indigestion, with or without vomiting, these are other warning signs that all is not well and needs further investigation. [1]

Jaundice

This is the well known ‘yellowing’ of your skin. Your whole body, including sometimes your fingernails and eyes, take on a yellow hue. This is mainly due to the build-up of ‘bilirubin,’ which is a pigment in bile. Bile is made in our livers and is essential in the digestion process. If your liver is having problems filtering the toxins that you ingest (whether through the digestive tract, the skin or the respiratory system) bilirubin will collect in the bloodstream thus turning your pallor yellow. [1]

Nausea and vomiting

Due to the interruption of the digestive system, you may suffer from heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. [1]

Abdominal pain

Especially where the liver is located, in the upper right part of the belly under the ribs. [1]

3 Liver Cleanse Juice Recipes

While you can’t cure liver disease with these recipes, you can support a healthy liver function with these carefully chosen ingredients. Use them to help prevent liver issues in the first place or as a healthy addition to your doctor’s treatment plan for an existing condition. Directions: Add all ingredients in the blender/juicer and blend until smooth! [2]

1. Liver Boosting Beet Juice: Ingredients