The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It helps clean the blood, digest food, and store energy. But when the liver starts to fail—especially in the later stages—it can no longer do these jobs properly.
Liver failure doesn’t usually happen overnight. It often develops slowly over time, and by the time symptoms appear, the damage can be quite serious. That’s why knowing the warning signs is so important.
In the early stages of liver disease, symptoms can be mild or even nonexistent. But in the later stages, when the liver is no longer working well, signs become more noticeable and often more dangerous. One of the most common symptoms is jaundice.
This is when the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow. It happens because the liver can’t properly break down a substance called bilirubin, which builds up in the blood.
Another sign is swelling in the belly and legs. This is caused by a buildup of fluid, known as ascites (in the belly) or edema (in the legs). As liver function worsens, proteins that help keep fluid in the bloodstream decrease, causing it to leak into other areas of the body. This can lead to discomfort, pain, and trouble moving around.
People with late-stage liver failure often feel very tired and weak. This is more than just normal tiredness—it’s a deep fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest. The liver normally helps provide energy by processing nutrients, so when it stops working, the whole body feels it.
Confusion or memory problems can also appear in the later stages. This is known as hepatic encephalopathy. It happens when toxins that the liver normally filters out begin to build up in the brain. People may have trouble thinking clearly, feel very sleepy, or even slip into a coma in severe cases.
Bruising and bleeding more easily is another symptom. A failing liver produces fewer proteins that help the blood clot, so small injuries can lead to more serious bleeding. Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or unexplained bruises may all be warning signs.
Nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss are also common. People may not feel like eating, and the body may begin to break down muscle for energy, leading to weight loss and weakness. Infections can also become more common because the liver helps support the immune system, and when it’s not working, the body becomes more vulnerable.
Itching skin is another surprising symptom. This happens because bile salts, which the liver usually processes and removes, build up under the skin, causing discomfort that can become severe.
According to research published in *The Lancet* and other major journals, these symptoms usually appear as liver function declines sharply, especially in conditions like cirrhosis, hepatitis, or long-term alcohol use. In some cases, liver failure can develop quickly, called acute liver failure, but more often it’s a slow and silent process until it reaches a critical point.
Recognizing these signs early and seeking medical care is vital. Treatments depend on the cause but may include medications, lifestyle changes, or in severe cases, a liver transplant. The sooner liver problems are identified, the better the chances of slowing the damage and improving quality of life.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about simple habit that could give you a healthy liver, and common diabetes drug that may reverse liver inflammation.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about simple blood test that could detect your risk of fatty liver disease, and results showing this green diet may strongly lower non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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