Liver disease is a broad term that can describe any issue that damages the liver and affects its function. Possible causes include infections, genetic conditions, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
As liver disease progresses, the liver’s ability to function may diminish to the extent that it will no longer be able to keep the person alive.
A person with liver disease symptoms should consult a doctor to determine the best treatment. Early treatment can often stop or slow the progression of liver disease and improve a person’s quality of life.
Liver disease
There are many different types of liver disease, which can occur as a result of viruses, genetic conditions, and cancer, among other causes.
Treatments can cure some diseases that affect the liver and prevent them from potentially leading to life threatening liver failure.
Liver disease can be acute or chronic. Acute liver disease occurs when something suddenly damages the liver. Chronic liver disease occurs when a condition continues to affect the liver for six or more months.
The main stages of liver disease include:
- fatty liver
- hepatitis or inflammation
- fibrosis or scarring
- cirrhosis or scar tissue replacing healthy liver cells
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, acute liver disease may have several symptoms, including:
- fever
- tiredness or weakness
- yellowing of the skin and eyes, known as jaundice
- dark urine
- pale stool
- nausea and vomiting
- pain under the ribs on the right side of the body
In some cases, depending on the cause of liver disease, these symptoms may come on suddenly. It is also possible that about 50% of people with acute liver disease will have no symptoms.
People living with chronic liver disease may not experience any symptoms until the disease has progressed for many years.
Hepatitis symptoms
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver.
According to the
A person may also develop hepatitis from medications, toxins, or heavy alcohol use. Some common symptoms include:
- fatigue
- appetite loss
- light-colored stools
- fever
- nausea
- jaundice
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- dark urine
- joint pain
However, some individuals living with hepatitis may not experience any symptoms at all.
Learn more about hepatitis.
Fatty liver disease symptoms
Fatty liver disease occurs when fat develops in the liver. The accumulated fat can damage a person’s liver over time, impairing its function.
As with other liver conditions, fatty liver disease may not produce any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
- weakness
- itchiness that lasts a long time
- severe fatigue
- unexplained weight loss
- jaundice
- blood vessels that look like spiderwebs on the skin
Learn more about fatty liver disease.
Genetic condition symptoms
There are many different types of genetic liver disease, many of which are not well-known. According to the American Liver Foundation, one of the most common is alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and another Alagille syndrome.
The symptoms of these conditions vary but can include:
- fatigue
- abdominal swelling
- issues with appetite
- abnormal liver test results
- jaundice
- swelling in the legs
- pale, loose stools
- issues with growth rate in the first 3 months of life
- itchy skin
Autoimmune symptoms
There are a few types of autoimmune liver disease, one of the most common being autoimmune hepatitis. A person living with this condition may experience symptoms such as:
- nausea
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- jaundice
As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms may appear. These may include loss of brain function, swelling in the legs, and fluid in the abdomen.
Cancer symptoms
Liver cancer shares several symptoms with other liver diseases.
If someone notices these symptoms, they should talk with their doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can help improve the likelihood of successful treatment.
- loss of appetite
- unintentional weight loss
- enlarged liver
- enlarged spleen
- feeling full after a small meal or snack
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- itching
- fluid buildup in the abdomen
- jaundice
Learn more about liver cancer.
Cirrhosis symptoms
Cirrhosis occurs when the liver becomes permanently scarred and damaged.
Cirrhosis often develops due to other conditions, such as hepatitis or alcohol-related liver disease. It can cause
- discomfort or pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
- issues with appetite
- feeling tired or weak
- vomiting
- unintentional weight loss
- nausea
As time goes on, the symptoms can become more severe. Other symptoms that may develop include:
- jaundice
- bruising or bleeding easily
- cognitive impairment
- severe itchy skin
- swelling in the lower legs, ankles, or feet
- abdominal bloating
- dark urine
Liver failure symptoms
Liver failure occurs when the liver slows or stops functioning. This condition is life threatening and requires care.
The symptoms can be mild initially and increase in severity as the condition worsens. Some common early symptoms include:
- fatigue
- nausea
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
As the condition progresses, symptoms can become worse and include:
Liver failure can be fatal.
Learn more about liver failure.
Later symptoms may include:
- nose bleeds or bleeding gums
- confusion or memory loss
- difficulty with staying awake
- personality changes
- wide or clubbed fingers
- changes in how a person writes, with writing becoming spidery
- jaundice
- rapid heartbeat
- sexual issues such as erectile dysfunction, lack of arousal, irregular period
They may also include the earlier symptoms, such as fatigue, dark urine, and pain in the body.
Complications of end stage liver disease include the liver being damaged beyond repair. This may include:
- scarring or cirrhosis
- liver failure, resulting in the need for a liver transplant
- death
The outcome for people living with liver disease will vary depending on their age and overall health, the severity of the condition, and the effectiveness of treatment.
A person should talk with a doctor about the treatments available. The doctor can explain whether the treatment is likely to cure the disease or whether there are other ways to manage the disease better.
They should be able to give the person a good idea of how well they might respond to treatment.
Treatment
The best treatment for liver disease depends on several factors, including the type of liver disease, the person’s age, and other medical conditions.
For some types of liver disease, a doctor may prescribe medications to help ease symptoms or treat the condition directly.
A person with a diagnosis of liver cancer is likely to need different cancer treatments to remove or fight the disease.
In some cases of liver failure, saving part of the liver may be possible. If this is not an option, a person may need to undergo liver transplant surgery.
What are the main early warning signs of liver disease?
The main early warning signs of liver disease include jaundice, dark urine, and fever.
What is stage 1 liver failure?
Stage 1 liver failure involves having a fatty and inflamed liver, also known as hepatitis. Symptoms can include fatigue and light-colored stools.
What foods and drinks are best to avoid for optimal liver health?
For optimal liver health, it is best to avoid non-nutritious foods such as ultra-processed foods, fast food, sugary foods, and sweetened foods. Drinks to avoid include alcohol and sugary drinks.
Liver disease describes many different conditions that affect the liver and its functioning. People may not experience any symptoms of their condition until they have lived with it for years.
It is important to talk with a doctor about any symptoms that may indicate a problem with the liver. Many types of liver disease produce similar symptoms, so a doctor may need to order tests to help them make a diagnosis and determine the best treatment options.
