The Most Common Liver Failure Symptoms

Jaundice

Jaundice is a peculiar symptom that occurs in patients who are in liver failure as a result of excess alcohol consumption throughout their lifetimes. Typically, this leads to cirrhosis, which can then result in liver failure. The reason jaundice occurs in patients is because too much bilirubin builds up in the blood. The liver is responsible for making sure the bilirubin is filtered out of the bloodstream when it dies. However, when the liver is not working properly, it causes the bilirubin to build up as the liver struggles to keep up. It is a rare symptom, but it is very indicative of liver failure for this reason.

Abdominal Swelling

Whether individuals are suffering from an acute or chronic case of liver failure, among the most common symptoms attributed to this condition is abdominal swelling. Along with being a highly common symptom with liver failure, it's also easy to detect. Their abdominal area will begin to swell to a size that's larger than normal.

While abdominal swelling could be caused by some relatively minor health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance, there's a chance the swelling could be the first sign an individual's liver is beginning to fail. When a liver begins to fail, there's a possibility it will become larger and swell. Because of the location of the liver, the swelling of this organ will cause patients to go through swelling in the abdomen as well. Liver failure can also lead to ascites, which is a condition that causes fluid buildup in the abdomen. This buildup of fluids will likely cause swelling within the abdomen.