How would I know if I have the beginning of a liver problem – would I have any specific symptoms?

 

No, not necessarily. It might be that you think your liver is at risk of developing a ‘problem’ due to your lifestyle, or perhaps there is a familial predisposition, which in turn, is troubling you. For whatever reason you may think that your liver may not be functioning as well as it should be, you would be wise to discuss your concerns with your GP.

The liver itself, doesn’t have any nerve endings, but there is a sheath that surrounds the liver, that DOES have nerve endings. This sheath is called the Glisson’s capsule.

When the liver becomes inflamed, it outstretches the Glisson’s capsule, which then sends signals to the brain. It is then, that you will feel some pain or discomfort around the liver area. The liver will become inflamed for many reasons, such as:

• An injury or trauma to the body

• Medication

• An infection (e.g. glandular fever, blood-borne viruses)

• Lifestyle (e.g. alcohol consumption, fatty liver)

Quite often, people will suffer from 'referred pain', which means that a problem exists somewhere else in the body other than where you feel the pain.

Typically, pain in the right-hand shoulder blade could signify a gallstone problem.

If an acute liver problem arises, you may well experience some of the following symptoms:

• Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)

• Abdominal pain and swelling

• Swelling in the legs and ankles.

• Itchy skin.

• Dark coloured urine.

• Pale stool colour, or bloody/tar-coloured stool.

• Chronic fatigue.

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Loss of appetite.

 

However, with a chronic liver condition, you could also suffer from all of the above, and the likelihood of more serious symptoms too.