Right-sided bloating, fatigue, itchy legs, and spider veins are signs of liver damage that are often overlooked.
Liver damage often has no obvious symptoms. Fat deposition, inflammation, and scarring can all appear silently. When the body shows clear signs, the disease may have become severe. Below are signs of potential liver disease.
Feeling of fullness in the right abdomen
One of the first symptoms of a weakened liver is a feeling of fullness or tightness just below the lower right part of the chest. This condition is caused by inflammation or swelling of the liver and begins to compress other nearby structures such as nerves and muscles, sometimes even spreading to the right shoulder. Many people often mistake it for muscle tension or bloating, when in fact the liver is “crying for help”.
Poor endurance
Some people find it difficult to perform daily tasks such as climbing stairs, standing for long periods of time, shopping… The reason is that the liver slows down or is overloaded, energy levels decrease despite getting enough sleep and eating healthy.
Fatigue when walking stairs can also signal liver damage. Photo created by AI
Itchy
One of the unexpected symptoms of fatty liver disease is itching, especially on the soles of the feet. This condition occurs due to the accumulation of bile salts in the blood, when the liver does not transport enough bile out. Bile salts accumulate over time in the skin, causing an unpleasant itching sensation. This sign is often worse at night and cannot be resolved by applying lotion or antihistamine.
Spider veins or red spots
When liver function declines, estrogen levels may increase because the liver is less likely to filter the hormone. This leads to spider hemangiomas (small, red spider-like veins) and red spots, often on the upper body. Men may also develop breast tissue due to this hormone imbalance.
Low vitamin D levels
Vitamin D deficiency becomes more severe with liver disease. The liver is where vitamin D is activated, so when this organ is inactive, vitamin D cannot function. This causes problems such as immunodeficiency, inflammation, and muscle dysfunction. This condition is often easily confused with other diseases.
Menstrual abnormalities
One of the easily recognizable signs of liver disease in women is menstrual disorders. Irregular menstrual cycles and missed periods can be a worrying sign. The reason is because the liver plays a role in metabolism and hormone regulation. If the liver does not function normally, it will affect menstruation.
Muscle loss
Muscle loss can occur when the liver does not process protein and nutrients properly. Many people think it’s due to diet or exercise, but if this condition occurs frequently and excessively, it can warn of liver disease. This sign is common in people with cirrhosis and other forms of liver disease.
When noticing the above symptoms, patients should see a doctor to find out the cause. Maintain a scientific diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep to help your liver recover.