A general unwell feeling. An underperforming liver can't filter toxins out of the bloodstream, resulting in fatigue, headaches and skin problems. Frequent gassy sensation. When a damaged liver doesn't secrete digestive juices to break down food, you may experience routine bloating and stool pressure.
Overall, up to 80% of patients with cirrhosis have been reported to have one or more relevant GI symptoms[34]. The most common GI symptoms reported include abdominal bloating in 49.5% of patients, abdominal pain in 24%, belching in 18.7%, diarrhea in 13.3%, and constipation in 8%[34].
However, as your liver loses its ability to function properly, you're likely to experience a loss of appetite, nausea and itchy skin. In the later stages, symptoms can include jaundice, vomiting blood, dark, tarry-looking stools, and a build-up of fluid in the legs (oedema) and abdomen (ascites).
Some non-laboratory signs may give your doctor reason to suspect fatty liver disease: - Abdominal bloating after eating Carbohydrates (sweets/starchy foods) can indicate an increased accumulation of fat within the liver cells.
A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions. Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage.
Nausea and upset stomach are common early symptoms of liver disease, but as your liver's ability to eliminate toxins decreases, your digestive distress will likely increase. Ongoing nausea is a reaction to excess waste products in the body, and unexplained vomiting is often linked to liver problems.
feeling very tired and weak all the time. loss of appetite – which may lead to weight loss. loss of sex drive (libido) yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Abdominal pain. Fatigue. Nausea and vomiting. Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
In cirrhotic patients, damaged hepatocytes result in the decreased inactivation capability of GAS in the liver, leading to increased GAS levels in blood.
Excessive flatulence can be caused by swallowing more air than usual or eating food that's difficult to digest. It can also be related to an underlying health problem affecting the digestive system, such as recurring indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Gas forms in your large intestine (colon) when bacteria ferment carbohydrates — fiber, some starches and some sugars — that aren't digested in your small intestine.
Blood tests
A low level of serum albumin suggests your liver is not functioning properly. A blood test may also look for signs of abnormal blood clotting, which can indicate significant liver damage.
There are at-home liver panel tests that can determine liver function by screening for proteins and enzymes like albumin, globulin, ALP, ALT, and GGT. These tests use a finger-prick sample and include materials to collect and send your specimen to the lab. You can order a liver panel from home and get tested in a lab.
The lowdown
Liver disease can have many negative effects on bodily functions, including bowel movements. The best way to assist your bowel movements is to focus on lifestyle changes that improve liver function. These include exercise, weight loss, and minimizing alcohol consumption, among others.
The presence of excessive gas was also significantly correlated with liver steatosis coupled with elevated ALT (P = . 001). Conclusion: This study shows a significant correlation between excessive intestinal gas and liver steatosis. The reasons of this finding and its clinical implications remain to be defined.
According to the American Liver Foundation, there are no medical treatments – yet – for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. So that means that eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are the best ways to both prevent liver damage from starting or reverse liver disease once it's in the early stages.