Sneaky Signs of Liver Damage Doctors Say Are Easy To Miss—From Bruising to Brain Fog
Catching liver trouble early, when it's often reversible, is key
Key Takeaways
- Itchy palms signal liver damage due to the bile acid buildup in the bloodstream.
- Muscle cramps and trouble focusing can be sneaky signs of liver damage.
- Easy bruising may occur when the liver struggles to make clotting proteins.
Odds are that unless you’ve been diagnosed with a condition that affects your liver health, this hardworking organ rarely crosses your mind. But if you’ve ever dealt with stubbornly itchy palms or tend to bruise easily, for example, you could be experiencing signs of liver damage and not even realize it. And that’s a problem, since experts say the liver plays a key role in helping your body function. So what are the sneaky signs of liver damage you should know about? We asked experts to break down the ones people easily miss. Spoiler: Your itchy palms may not be just eczema after all.
What is liver disease?
Just like our joints experience wear and tear throughout our lives, our liver can also experience damage without disease. “The term ‘liver damage’ is used specifically to refer to injury or harm of liver cells or the organ itself,” explains Brynna Connor, MD, Healthcare Ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com. “The injury can be acute/temporary and reversible, or it can be chronic and, in those instances, lead to issues such as inflammation, fibrosis or scarring of the liver, cirrhosis and potentially liver failure.”
However, Dr. Connor describes liver disease as a broader term describing any condition, illness or dysfunction that impacts the liver such as infections, autoimmune conditions, genetic disorders and structural issues with the organ.
Cory Rice, DO, chief clinical advisor at Biote, says that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is becoming the most common cause of liver disease in the U.S. It’s driven by type 2 diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance.
Dr. Connor adds that other causes include:
- Viral infections like hepatitis A, B and C
- Drug-induced liver disease due to abuse of opioids, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen
- Autoimmune and genetic disorders like autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis, which happens when the body mistakenly attacks the liver or bile ducts
4 sneaky signs of liver damage
Most of us know that jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes, is an obvious symptom of liver trouble. But there are several early signs of liver damage that are much easier to write off as something else. Here are four you should never ignore:
Itchy palms
“When the liver isn’t clearing bile properly, bile acids and other compounds build up in the bloodstream and irritate nerve endings in the skin,” explains Dr. Rice. “This itch often concentrates in the palms and soles [of the feet], and is often worse at night.”
Fast fix: Use cool compresses on your palms and avoid using hot water on them, as that can worsen the itch, says Dr. Rice.
Muscle cramps
“Leg or foot cramps, especially at night, can occur because poor liver function can interfere with electrolyte balance and protein metabolism, both of which help muscles fire and relax,” says Dr. Rice.
Fast fix: Make sure to stay hydrated and stretch before bed, recommends Dr. Rice.
Trouble focusing
“Difficulty focusing or forgetfulness may be a result of the liver being unable to clear toxins like ammonia, which can build up and affect brain function,” explains Dr. Rice.
Fast fix: He recommends lowering alcohol intake and trying to eat with a consistent meal pattern to support mild cases of forgetfulness by keeping blood sugar stable.
Easily bruising
“Bruising or bleeding easily could be a symptom of liver damage because the liver produces the proteins responsible for blood clotting,” adds Dr. Rice.
Fast fix: There is no home remedy for managing easy bruising, but it is something to report to your doctor, explains Dr. Rice.
How to treat signs of liver damage
Many of these symptoms can overlap with other common conditions, like itchy palms and eczema or forgetfulness and aging. That’s why Dr. Rice recommends seeking a blood test from your doctor to quickly settle the question of whether your symptoms are actually caused by liver disease or something else.
While the “fast fix” recommendations above can treat the immediate and bothersome symptoms of liver damage, the best remedy is a healthy liver. Early-stage liver damage is often reversible with the right treatment and lifestyle changes, which is why spotting the warning signs is so important.
Note: If you experience liver damage symptoms such as severe confusion, struggling to stay awake, vomiting blood, changes in behavior, black stools, rectal bleeding, yellowing of the eyes, weakness/fainting or severe abdominal pain, Dr. Rice says to visit urgent care or an emergency room.
The bottom line on liver damage symptoms
When it comes to liver health, you don’t want to wait until there’s a problem to take action. Dr. Rice says lifestyle habits like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol and following a balanced diet that prioritizes veggies, whole grains and lean proteins while avoiding excess sugar and processed foods are a great place to start. And remembering to watch out for any of the sneaky symptoms above can help you keep your liver health in check before a bigger problem develops.
Ready for more inspiration? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
