Visible Signs That May Be Associated With Liver Disease
Some liver conditions produce visible or noticeable changes, particularly when liver damage has become significant. However, these signs are not diagnostic by themselves, and many people with early liver disease have no symptoms at all.
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NIDDK
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Possible signs include:
Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice) — caused by buildup of bilirubin.
Swollen abdomen — fluid accumulation, called ascites, can make the belly enlarged or tight.
Swollen ankles, legs, or feet — fluid retention can occur with advanced liver disease.
Spider-like blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas).
Red palms (palmar erythema).
Easy bruising or bleeding.
Dark urine, sometimes occurring with jaundice.
Itchy skin, which can be particularly persistent.
Unintentional weight loss or muscle wasting.
Pale or abnormal-looking fingernails in some people.
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Mayo Clinic
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One important warning
Fatty liver disease can have few or no noticeable symptoms, so looking in the mirror isn’t a reliable way to determine whether your liver is healthy. Blood tests, imaging, and sometimes other investigations are used to evaluate liver disease.
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Mayo Clinic
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If you develop new jaundice, significant abdominal swelling, vomiting blood, black stools, severe confusion, or unusual bleeding, seek medical attention promptly. Some of these can indicate advanced liver disease or a serious complication.
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Mayo Clinic
Bottom line: Visible changes can be clues, but they shouldn’t be used to self-diagnose liver disease. Persistent or unexplained changes deserve a medical evaluation.
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