Liver disease: symptoms and diagnosis

The liver is our body's „chemical kitchen”: it performs more than 500 vital functions, from detoxification to the production of blood clotting factors and the storage of nutrients. Because liver diseases are often associated with insidiously, without initial pain develop, it is crucial to recognise the small warning signs.

From Endomedix Gastroenterology Centre an expert guide to help you identify symptoms and understand the investigation process.

What are the warning signs of liver disease?

The symptoms are varied and often only become clear in advanced stages.

1. Early, non-specific symptoms

These signs can be easily confused with other conditions:

Persistent fatigue and physical exhaustion.
Loss of appetite and undue weight loss.
Below right rib cage dull pressure or tension.
Frequent nausea or indigestion.

2. Specific, more severe symptoms

If you experience any of the following, consult a specialist immediately:

Jaundice (icterus): Yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes.
Dark urine (cola-coloured) and unusually clear stools (clay-coloured).
Ascites (ascites): Increase in abdominal volume due to fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
Skin itching: Intense itching caused by bile stains deposited in the skin.
Haemophilia: Frequent nosebleeds or bruising.
Confusion: Memory loss or difficulty concentrating (brain involvement due to liver).

How is the diagnosis made?

There are several steps to assessing the condition of the liver, and modern procedures can now often avoid the unpleasant procedure of taking a sample.

Method	What are you testing?	Objective of
Laboratory analysis	Enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT), bilirubin, albumin	Indication of liver cell damage and deterioration of function.
Abdominal ultrasound	Structure and size of the liver	Looking for fatty deposits, cysts, tumours and gallstones.
FibroScan	Hardness (elasticity) of the liver	Painless measurement of the extent of scarring (fibrosis).
Liver biopsy	Tissue sample (microscopic analysis)	Determine the exact cause and stage of the disease.

What can you do for your liver health?

Fortunately, the liver has excellent regenerative capacity if we act in time.

Reduce your alcohol intake: This is one of the most common causes of liver failure.
A healthy diet: Reduce fatty, refined foods to avoid fatty liver.
Regular screening: If you experience persistent fatigue or are at risk, ask for a liver function laboratory test.