While it can feel tempting to prioritize hustle over health, it’s important to remember that while a person is busy grinding, their liver is quitely working overtime to filter toxins and keep their body functioning. The scary reality? Liver damage is often a “silent killer,” creeping up without major warning signs until the situation is critical.

Given that health disparities can leave some communities more vulnerable to chronic conditions, staying vigilant is non-negotiable. If something feels off, don’t brush it aside. From sudden skin changes to unexplainable fatigue, here are seven urgent signs your liver might be crying out for help.

Why early detection matters

Early detection that your liver is dying can help with prompt intervention, which has a positive impact on either reversing or preventing permanent damage. This also allows for timely treatment, slow progression and most importantly, prevents adverse complications like liver cancer or loss of life.

This article explores signs that may indicate your liver is failing, as well as offers recommendations to promote healthy living.

What causes liver failure?

Liver failure, either acute or chronic, is caused by a number of lifestyle, medical and environmental factors. A dying liver occurs when its function gradually declines over time. This is primarily due to a condition called cirrhosis. As explained by the NIDDK. Cirrhosis is permanent and irreversible liver damage due to a buildup of scar tissue that replaces healthy liver tissue, affecting its ability to function normally.

Causes of liver failure include:

  • Chronic viral hepatitis
  • Exposure to toxins
  • Harmful supplements
  • Too much alcohol
  • Obesity, diabetes or high cholesterol
  • History of liver disease

Common signs that your liver is dying

While personal habits and existing health conditions significantly impact liver health, environmental exposures can also contribute to liver function degradation over time. When the liver reaches a critical point, the body often presents several distress signals. One of the most common indicators is jaundice, characterized by a yellowing of the skin. However, it is crucial to note that this change can be more subtle and complex to detect on Black or brown skin, often appearing more clearly in the whites of the eyes, as noted by the Mayo Clinic.

Beyond changes in complexion, look out for digestive symptoms like dark urine or pale stools. Other physical manifestations of a failing liver include persistent fatigue, unexplained itchy skin and fluid retention that results in swelling of the ankles.

What medication is suitable for when your liver is dying?

As with the general population, pain is widespread in patients with liver disease and can include chronic back or knee pain. Before receiving proper medication, your healthcare professional can help determine the cause of liver damage and assess its severity to recommend the most suitable treatment method.

To get started, your healthcare expert will first review your medical history and conduct a physical exam, according to another report from the Mayo Clinic. Getting the proper medication can help to cope with and manage liver pain over time. Therefore, the treatment will largely depend on the diagnosis.

Liver problems can be treated with lifestyle changes, medicines or surgery, and liver transplant in case of severe liver failure. Lifestyle changes include eating a healthy diet, limiting fat intake and maintaining a healthy weight. Before taking any alternative medicines, it is wise to consult your healthcare provider about the potential risks to protect your liver.

Importantly, avoid taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat your pain. Since these medications are processed through the liver, they can worsen your pain and overall liver health. A publication in the National Library of Medicine notes that acetaminophen is more commonly linked to liver damage compared to ibuprofen. Acetaminophen should be used judiciously in patients with chronic alcohol abuse.

Dr. Justus Rabach, MD, explains, “Depending on your pain, your healthcare expert might recommend taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen or naproxen.” In an extreme case, your healthcare provider may recommend liver dialysis – a medical procedure used to purify the blood – or a transplant may be required.

How to check liver function at home

If you happen to suspect that your liver health might not be doing well, there are simple steps you can take in your daily life to monitor your liver function. You can achieve this by observing your body symptoms and paying close attention to these signs of liver failure:

  • Jaundice: Is your skin yellowing, especially in natural light?
  • Urine color: Check to ascertain if your urine is unusually dark yellow.
  • Swelling: Check for swelling in your legs or ankles, which can include fluid buildup.
  • Fatigue: Notice if you experience extreme fatigue and persistent tiredness.

When to see a doctor if you think your liver is dying

Recognizing when to see a healthcare professional for liver failure is important because early intervention can save a life. Liver failure can be acute (occurs suddenly) or chronic (develops over time); both can be fatal if left untreated.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience key symptoms such as the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, abdominal pain or severe fatigue. Other critical red flags include digestive changes, such as dark urine and pale stools, as well as physical signs, including swelling in the ankles or legs and itchy skin. Do not wait for pain or jaundice to appear. Liver disease is often silent until it is serious.

Bottom line

Your liver plays a crucial role in maintaining your body’s health. It achieves this by filtering toxins from the body, aiding digestion and supporting essential bodily functions. However, when it is in trouble, it manifests through symptoms such as fatigue, swelling and changes in skin and urine color. Do not ignore these signs.

The liver itself does not have pain receptors. So how do you feel about the pain? As PubMed explains, the pain you feel comes from damage or inflammation of the surrounding tissues, which contain nerves. Whether caused by lifestyle, environmental or medical conditions, liver failure is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if not detected and managed early.

Monitoring your health, maintaining healthy living and seeking timely medical attention can make a big difference. Early detection saves lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What destroys the liver the most?

    Chronic alcohol abuse. Excessive alcohol use leads to fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis (permanent scarring). Since the liver prioritizes processing alcohol, this affects its other vital functions.

    What color is your urine if you have liver problems?

      Dark yellow or brown. This happens because your liver is not processing or removing bilirubin correctly. As a result, a yellowish substance is formed during the breakdown of red blood cells. The discoloration builds up in the blood and is excreted in the urine.

      What virus destroys the liver?

      According to the Encyclopedia of Gastroenterology, hepatitis viruses cause inflammation that damages the liver.

        Citations

        NIDDK. Definition & Facts for Cirrhosis | NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Published June 17, 2019. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis/definition-facts

        Mayo Clinic. Liver disease. Mayo Clinic. Published February 13, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502

        Mayo Clinic. Liver problems – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.org. Published 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374507

        Malespin MH. Risk of Nonsteroidal Anti‐inflammatory Drugs and Safety of Acetaminophen in Patients with Advanced Liver Disease. Clinical Liver Disease. 2018;12(3):85-88. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/cld.737

        Sharma A, Nagalli S. Chronic Liver Disease. PubMed. Published July 3, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554597/

        Spengler U. Liver Disease Associated with Non-Hepatitis Viruses. Encyclopedia of Gastroenterology. Published online 2020:363-376. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.65782-35782-3