We all know the importance of having a healthy liver and how it is crucial for our overall well-being, yet many times we indulge in activities that directly or indirectly impact the health of our liver. This has given rise to a variety of diseases and ailments, some of which can drastically impact normal liver function and give rise to life-threatening complications. Fortunately, most of these can be cured or managed with timely medical intervention. However, this is possible only if you look out for the symptoms and get them assessed at the earliest. Experts from the best liver transplant hospital in Gurgaon suggest that there are several different ways in which our body tries to tell us that the liver is not functioning properly. Before we read about these, let's first try to understand why you should not ignore your liver health.
The liver is the largest gland found in our body and is involved in multiple vital functions. Most of us know that it helps to purify the blood by removing unwanted chemicals and toxins, however, it has been found that the liver performs more than 500 different functions, which include:
● Production of albumin, which is an important protein that helps to circulate hormones, vitamins and enzymes throughout the body.
● Production of bile, which is a. important digestive enzyme that helps in the absorption of fats in the small intestine
● Regulation of the levels of amino acids in the body, which are responsible for producing proteins
● Preventing infection by filtering unwanted bacteria that invade the bloodstream
● Storing of important nutrients like vitamins and minerals
● Processing glucose by removing the excessive amounts from the bloodstream and storing it as glycogen.
As per the experts from the best liver transplant hospital in Gurgaon, the liver is not functioning normally, all these functions will be affected drastically.
Itchy skin - While the symptom is often related to a dermatological problem, it is pertinent to note that the problem could be related to your liver too. This could be caused by an increase in the levels of bile in the bloodstream, which is likely to happen when there is a blockage in the bile duct. This causes the bile to flow back into the bloodstream, which then leads to itching.
Spider angiomas - These refer to tiny capillaries that somewhat present as a spider-like structure beneath the skin. These are usually a result of elevated levels of oestrogen in the body which is possible when the liver is unable to metabolise the hormones in your body. These usually appear on the face and limbs.
Bruising and bleeding - Do you bleed very easily after an injury or develop bruises quite often? This could be an indication that your liver is not working well as this usually happens when there is a decreased production of proteins that are responsible for clotting.
Bad breath - Does your mouth smell bad even after brushing it thoroughly? Experts from the top liver transplant hospital in Gurgaon suggest that while many people relate this symptom with diseases related to gums and sinuses, this could also be a sign of liver damage. In fact, there is a specific term for bad breath which is caused by problems related to your liver. This is known as foetor hepaticus, and is a sign that there are high levels of dimethyl sulphide present in your blood, a problem usually faced by people suffering from cirrhosis.
Hyperpigmentation - The problem is usually associated with ageing and excessive sun exposure, however, you never could be the real culprit. It is functional liver causes the oestrogen levels to spike up, resulting in the formation of tyrosinase, a copper-containing enzyme that can trigger the overproduction of melanin. It is this melanin, that results in blemishes and hyperpigmentation.
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms lately does important to consult a doctor to get yourself evaluated. Although these do not necessarily mean that you have liver disease but it is better to see expert care and guidance at the earliest to avoid any complications in future.
Dr. Ankur Garg, Director
Digestive & Liver Diseases, Liver Transplant
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