Your liver works hard to ensure your body is in great shape. This vital organ filters your blood, detoxifying substances you’ve ingested. However, when individuals abuse drugs and alcohol, the liver can become overwhelmed and suffer damage. If you believe you are suffering from liver damage, then reach out to our Kentucky rehab to see how our alcohol addiction treatment programs can helpย stop any further damage from drugs or alcohol.
Liver disease can be genetic or caused by several factors that damage the liver, including drug addiction and excessive alcohol use. You can better manage liver damage if you detect it sooner rather than later. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize the symptoms of possible liver complications. The symptoms of the damage to the liver will vary depending on the exact type of liver complication that you have. Here are common signs of liver damage that you should be aware of.
Jaundicedย Eyes and Skin
Jaundice is a condition that occurs when your liver doesn’t remove adequate bilirubin from your blood, resulting in yellowing of the whites of your eyes and skin. Bilirubin is a yellowish waste substance that remains in your bloodstream when the iron is removed from your blood. If too much of it remains in your blood, it can leak into surrounding tissues, causing yellowing in the eyes and skin.
Dark Urine
Dark urine is one of the signs of liver damage. If your urine is amber, dark orange, brown, or cola-colored, this may indicate an underlying liver condition. Professionals in KY and our addiction treatment staff advise that the situation may happen when there is too much bilirubin in your bloodstream because the liver is not breaking it down quickly.
Pale Stool
If your stool is always pale, this may be an indication of a possible liver problem. If your liver isn’t generating enough bile, or if the bile’s flow is blocked and not draining from the liver, your stool’s color might become pale. Having clay-colored or pale stool once in a while should not get you worked up; however, if it happens frequently, you should contact your doctor.
Abdominal Pain and Swelling
Pain and swelling of the abdomen are some signs of liver damage. Ascites is the term used to describe abdominal swelling resulting from the accumulation of fluid in your belly cavity because of leaks from your liver’s and intestine’s surface. Having a swollen belly is a common symptom of ascites. You might also experience shortness of breath and mild pain. Experts dealing with liver damage in KY have indicated that the common causes of ascites are alcoholic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis caused by excessive consumption of alcohol.
Easy Bruising and Excessive Bleeding
If you bruise easily and bleed excessively, you may have an underlying liver condition. If your liver is damaged, it may stop the production of proteins essential for blood clotting. When this happens, you may notice that you are bleeding more than usual, and you are easily bruised. In some instances, you may become very itchy.
Vomiting or Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are common early signs of liver damage. As your liver’s ability to get rid of toxins decreases, you may notice an increase in digestive complications. Being regularly nauseated is a sign that your body is reacting to excess waste materials. Liver damage experts state that you may also experience severe loss of appetite during the early and advanced stages of liver complications.
The liver is a vital organ in your body. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause severe damage to it. If alcohol has control over your life, you are more likely to experience complications from liver damage. If you are experiencing any of the signs discussed, it is essential to seek help as soon as possible at an alcohol addiction treatment program. For more information about ways to overcome addiction and prevent future liver damage from happening, please contact us at (888) 771-8718.
