Liver failure is a very serious condition that happens when the liver becomes too damaged to do its important jobs.
The liver helps your body by processing nutrients, removing harmful substances, making proteins, and helping with digestion.
When the liver starts to fail—especially in its late stages—the body gives off strong warning signs. Knowing these signs can help people get medical help quickly.
In the early stages of liver disease, symptoms might be light or hard to notice. But in late-stage liver failure, also called end-stage liver disease, the symptoms are much more serious.
One of the clearest signs is jaundice. This means the skin and eyes turn yellow. It happens because the liver can’t remove a waste substance called bilirubin, which builds up in the blood.
Another common sign is swelling in the belly, called ascites. This happens when fluid leaks into the abdomen. It’s caused by high pressure in the blood vessels near the liver and low protein levels. People with ascites may also have swelling in their legs and ankles.
Confusion, memory problems, and mood or personality changes can also show up. This condition is called hepatic encephalopathy. It happens when the liver can’t filter out toxins like ammonia. These toxins then affect the brain. In serious cases, a person may become very sleepy or even fall into a coma.
Digestive issues are also common. Nausea, throwing up, and a loss of appetite can lead to noticeable weight loss. As the liver gets worse, people feel more tired and weak, and they may find it hard to do normal daily tasks.
Bleeding and bruising more easily can also be a sign. The liver makes proteins that help blood clot, so when it isn’t working, even small injuries can lead to big problems. Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or blood in vomit or poop are all red flags.
Another sign is constant itching. When the liver doesn’t work well, bile salts can build up under the skin and cause an itchy feeling. This can be very uncomfortable and make it hard to sleep.
Late-stage liver failure can also affect the kidneys. This is called hepatorenal syndrome. It’s a dangerous condition that causes kidney function to drop quickly, making the overall illness worse.
Experts from groups like the American Liver Foundation say the progress of liver failure depends on the cause. It can be triggered by things like hepatitis, drinking too much alcohol, or fatty liver disease. Treatments aim to control symptoms, slow down the damage, and sometimes get ready for a liver transplant.
Late-stage liver failure can be life-threatening. That’s why it’s so important to spot the symptoms early. If someone has any of these warning signs—especially if they already have liver disease—they should see a doctor right away. Getting help quickly can improve their chances of feeling better and living longer.
If you care about liver health, please read studies about a diet that can treat fatty liver disease and obesity, and coffee drinkers may halve their risk of liver cancer.
For more information about liver health, please see recent studies that anti-inflammatory diet could help prevent fatty liver disease, and results showing vitamin D could help prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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