Important Signs Of Liver Damage

Nausea And Vomiting

Nausea is specifically associated with a fatty liver disease which progresses slowly in most individuals. As many as 60 million Americans suffer from some form of this condition and untreated, this disease causes scarring and eventually failure of the liver. Once the liver has become scarred, proper blood flow is prevented which increases the likelihood of pressure building up in the stomach. This pressure is the cause of the nauseating feeling associated with a fatty liver disease. This symptom can even lead to vomiting blood which is a severe medical problem. Liver problems can also lead to a loss of appetite which can also lead to a nauseous feeling. Many individuals who experience liver problems will be prone to acute periods of nauseousness as well as a general unwell feeling and even disorientation or confusion.

Abdominal Pain And Swelling

Liver pain can come in a variety of forms, with most individuals experiencing it as a dull, throbbing sensation in the right upper abdomen, and it can also feel like a stabbing sensation as well. In some cases, abdominal pain can also be accompanied by swelling, and some patients have reported experiencing radiating liver pain in their back or right shoulder blade. Formally known as ascites, abdominal swelling is when there is a fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity that is caused by fluid leaks from the surface of the liver and intestine.

Ascites associated with liver disease is typically accompanied by other symptoms of liver damage or disease, such as portal hypertension. Signs of ascites, or abdominal swelling, can include a distended abdominal cavity, which can cause discomfort and shortness of breath. Abdominal swelling, or ascites, can be caused by cirrhosis, Reye’s syndrome, liver cancer, alcoholic hepatitis, obstruction of the hepatic vein, and hemochromatosis.