If you are suffering from a disease, or troubled by a malfunctioning liver, then this can show up in a few extremely obvious ways. One of the first effects this will have on your skin is that it will start to dry up. Liver disease leads to lack of proper fluid circulation in the body. This leads to extremely dry skin which is also extremely itchy in nature. Moreover, if you scratch this kind of skin, you will find that it is easy to rupture as well. You should refrain from scratching an itch, as this can lead to formation of a wound, rather than a mere bruise. The other problem that you may suffer from is the yellowing of the skin. Keep in mind that jaundice is a manifestation of a liver malfunction. Your skin may develop a yellow tone and the whites of your eyes may also start turning yellow. Usually, jaundice is an extremely effective method of the body to make you aware that there is a problem with the liver. You should pay attention to this warning and seek medical help for jaundice. You should also make some dietary changes which can help to cure jaundice faster. Simply eliminate all cooked food from your diet. Stick to boiled vegetables and sugar cane juice for most part. This may leave you weak and make you lose a lot of weight, but it will speed up the healing process. You should also be aware that any diet you follow for the health and recovery of your liver should last a minimum of three months. You should refrain from starting a normal diet before three months from the diagnosis are up. The reason for this is that your system is very weak and will take time to recover.
Another common side effect of the liver’s malfunction is that it can lead to a spidery network of blood vessels on your chest, shoulders and neck. This is extremely unsightly and is a very obvious symptom of liver damage. Actually, it is one of the first symptoms that doctors look out for. You may also develop extremely delicate skin that is prone to bruising easily and it also can develop wounds if the bruises are left unchecked. If you are already suffering from liver damage or you have had liver problems in the past, you are better off not ignoring even the slightest sign of trouble.
The liver is one of the most important parts of the human body, as it is one of the largest organs and performs several functions. The liver is responsible for the production of bile, which helps to break down the fats in the body. Moreover, once any food is ingested and digested by the body, it gets absorbed by the walls of the small intestines and the nutrients as well as the other molecules of the food are sent to the liver for further processing. The liver is also described as the “detoxifier” of the human body. Hence, the proper health and functioning of the body is highly dependant on the good health of the liver. Fortunately, the liver is the only organ that can regenerate its parts, in case of any problems. However, in case the liver is put under tremendous pressure, such as alcohol abuse, then the damage could be severe or even permanent.
There are several liver problems that can affect the human body, which could include a wide range of diseases and conditions. Some of the most common diseases and conditions to affect the liver include cirrhosis, liver cancer, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Haemochromatosis, chronic liver failure, Wilson’s disease and fatty liver disease, to name a few. People could also suffer from problems that are related to a liver cyst, liver rash, itchy liver (itchy liver disease) and itchy liver spots. Some of these problems are inherited, whereas others may occur in reaction to certain chemicals or viruses. At times, the condition could be a temporary one, which can be treated with the help of medication, surgery, therapy, diet, exercise or other lifestyle changes. However, it is also possible for a person to experience severe symptoms of liver problems, which could lead to serious long term complications.
In order to treat and address any condition as early as possible, it is important to know and to recognize what the different symptoms of liver problems are. The intensity of the signs and symptoms could be different for each person, based on the type of liver disease and its severity. Some of the most common symptoms of liver problems are:
Women are more prone to conditions and diseases affecting the liver than men are and therefore, the symptoms of liver problems in women may be a bit more severe as compared to the symptoms of liver problems in men. Ignoring the symptoms of liver problems could cause the liver to deteriorate at a fast pace, thereby worsening the condition as well as the symptoms. Therefore, it is important to ensure that a doctor is consulted immediately, in case any of the more serious and worrisome symptoms of liver problems become evident. In order to adopt the right treatment measure, it is important to know what the exact type and causes of the liver problem are.
Liver disease due to alcohol
One of the main causes of liver problems and failure is the long term excessive consumption of alcohol. Liver disease from alcohol usually starts off with a liver inflammation, which progresses to fatty liver disease and rash. In the final stage of liver damage, cirrhosis could occur. Therefore, the symptoms of liver problems from alcohol like dark urine, mental confusion, light colored bowel movements, hemorrhaging from the GI tract and fluid retention needs to be treated immediately and the consumption of alcohol should be stopped completely, for faster recovery.
Liver problems and skin rashes
Many a times, people may notice a severe skin rash due to liver degenerative diseases. This occurs, due to the fact that an abnormal liver is incapable of removing the waste matter as well as the toxins from the body, in a proper manner. Another factor that correlates problems with the liver and rashes is that the liver does not have the ability to metabolize the sugar and fat in the body, to promote normal circulation of blood. Hence the skin rash caused by liver problems becomes visible, in the form of an inflammation and redness of the skin. A skin rash due to liver disease generally affects the palms and the soles of the feet first. At times, liver problems may lead to hives, which is characterized by an itchy rash on the skin. Since an enlarged liver and a rash could be interrelated, skin rashes should be checked by a doctor immediately
Liver Problems and Itchy Skin
A condition known is pruritis is generally characterized by itchy skin caused by liver problems. The main factors that correlate liver disease and itching skin are dehydration and severe dryness of the skin. Moreover, since the body does not have ability to metabolize the fat properly, lumps of fat get formed on the skin, leading to certain liver related skin problems. Fatty liver disease and itchy skin problems should not be left untreated. Itchy skin due to liver problems could also result in spots on the skin.
In order to diagnose liver diseases and problems, a doctor may need to conduct various tests, which include a blood test, an imaging test as well as a liver biopsy, where some tissue is extracted from the liver, with the help of a long needle. This tissue is then sent to a lab, when it is examined under a microscope. If the results of the tests point out towards a liver problem, then the doctor may suggest various treatment options, ranging from medication to surgery, based on the severity of the problem. Liver problems that lead to liver failure may require an immediate liver transplant.