Liver problems affect roughly one in 10 people.
Alcohol abuse is the leading cause of a failing liver, but there may be a number of other causes too.
According to the Foundation for Liver Research, liver disease is the only major cause of death still increasing year-on-year in the UK, with the problem becoming an increased health burden globally.
Liver issues are also increasingly being seen among young people, with mortality from chronic liver disease (CLD) in the UK increasing by over 400% since 1970.
What are the five signs warning your liver may be heading to liver toxicity?
The liver plays a large number of roles in the body, including helping with fat metabolism and regulating hormones.
One of the most essential functions is filtering toxins out of the blood, typically filtering around 1.4 litres of blood every minute.
But when there is a problem with your liver, toxin levels may rise leading to various health problems.
To avoid permanent damage, spotting the signs of a toxic liver is therefore vital in order to make the appropriate changes needed.
Signs of liver toxicity
These symptoms may include
- Bad breath
- Headaches and migraines
- Excessive sweating
- Bloating
- Spider veins.
Having toxic liver disease even in the mild stage can be serious.
If it is not treated it could turn to permanent liver scarring or cirrhosis, leading to complete liver failure or even death.
“Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue and the liver is permanently damaged,” explains the Cleveland Clinic.
Alcohol warning
When you drink alcohol, the liver breaks it down in order for it to be removed from the body.
However, the process could lead to damage due to the harmful substances being produced further leading to the build-up of fat in the liver.
“Alcohol-related liver disease does not usually cause any symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged,” warns the NHS.
Fortunately, it can be diagnosed by a few simple tests which your GP can do.
If you are experiencing any of the unusual symptoms listed above or are concerned with the state of your liver, speak to your GP.
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