Liver Problems – Symptoms and Causes

ByJanis Updated

Overview

The liver sits just below the right-side rib cage in the abdomen. It weighs up to 1.8 kilograms (4 pounds). This essential organ performs several vital functions:

  • Helping with food digestion
  • Removing waste products from the body
  • Producing clotting factors that maintain proper blood flow

Liver conditions can arise through multiple pathways. Some are genetic and inherited, while others result from external factors such as:

  • Viral infections
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Obesity

When liver damage continues over time, scarring known as cirrhosis may develop. This scarring can eventually progress to liver failure, a life-threatening condition. However, getting treatment early often allows the liver time to recover and heal itself.

Signs of Liver Problems

Liver disease frequently progresses silently, presenting little to no obvious symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, may be less obvious on darker skin tones)
  • Abdominal Pain and Swelling
  • Swollen Legs and Ankles
  • Skin Itchiness
  • Dark-colored Urine
  • Light-colored Stool
  • Persistent Fatigue
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Reduced Appetite
  • Easy Bruising

When Medical Help Is Needed

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any ongoing symptoms that concern you. Severe abdominal pain that prevents you from sitting still requires immediate medical attention.

Early detection can help manage liver conditions before they become more serious.

What Can Cause Liver Problems

When Germs Attack the Liver

Viruses and parasites can harm the liver, causing it to swell and not work properly. These infections spread in different ways—through blood, sexual contact, contaminated food or water, or close physical contact with infected people.

The most common liver infections are hepatitis viruses:

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C

When Your Body Attacks Itself

Sometimes the immune system mistakenly attacks the liver. These are called autoimmune liver diseases and include:

  • Autoimmune Hepatitis
  • Primary Biliary Cholangitis
  • Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Family Traits

Some liver problems run in families. Genes from parents can make substances build up in the liver and damage it. These include:

  • Hemochromatosis: Excess iron buildup in the liver.
  • Wilson’s Disease: Excessive accumulation of copper in the body, leading to significant damage to liver cells.
  • Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: A protein imbalance that affects liver function.

Unwanted Growths

Abnormal cell growth in or near the liver may lead to:

  • Liver Cancer
  • Bile Duct Cancer
  • Liver Adenoma (non-cancerous tumor)

Additional Causes

The liver can also be damaged by:

  • Long-term alcohol use
  • Fat buildup (known as fatty liver disease)
  • Certain medications and herbal supplements
  • Regular exposure to toxic chemicals

Risk Factors

Several factors can raise your chance of getting liver disease:

  • Alcohol Use: Regular drinking at moderate or high levels.
  • Weight Issues: Associated with fatty liver disease.
  • Health Conditions: Type 2 diabetes increases the likelihood of liver dysfunction.
  • Tattoos and Piercings: If performed in unsanitary conditions, they can lead to hepatitis infections.
  • High-risk Behaviors:
    • Sharing drug needles
    • Unprotected sex
    • Contact with blood or body fluids

Other risks include blood transfusions before 1992, exposure to harmful chemicals, and having family members with liver disease.

Prevention

Taking steps to protect your liver health is important. Here are several ways to prevent liver disease:

  • Moderate alcohol consumption can help keep your liver healthy. Women should limit their intake to one drink per day. Meanwhile, men should have no more than two drinks per day.
  • Engage in safe practices to lower infection risks. For instance, use condoms during sexual activity. Also, choose clean, reputable shops for tattoos or piercings. If you use injectable drugs, never share needles. Lastly, seek help for substance use disorders.
  • Vaccination is crucial if you are at higher risk for hepatitis. Talk with your healthcare provider about hepatitis A and B vaccines. This is especially important if you’ve previously been infected with any hepatitis virus.
  • Take medications only as prescribed. Do not mix alcohol with medications. Lastly, consult your healthcare provider before combining herbal supplements with other medications.
  • Avoid contact with blood and bodily fluids from others. Hepatitis viruses can spread through these exposures.
  • Food safety. Wash hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food. When traveling in developing countries, use bottled water for drinking, handwashing, and toothbrushing.
  • Use caution with aerosol products when spraying them in well-ventilated areas. Wear protective masks when using insecticides, fungicides, paints, and other chemicals.
  • Protect your skin. When handling toxic substances, wear gloves, long sleeves, a hat, and a mask.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can lead to metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (formerly called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease).

Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.