If you’re wondering what liver disease is, you’re not alone. Liver disease is a broad term used to describe a variety of illnesses that cause liver problems. So when you hear about conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which used to be called fatty liver disease, they all fall under the category of liver disease.

Most liver disease can be managed, especially when it’s caught early. Knowing the symptoms and causes of liver disease can help you determine when it’s time to see a clinician.

Keep reading to learn the signs of liver disease, what the four stages are and what treatment options are available. We’ll also give you tips on things you can do to help prevent liver disease.

Your liver is the biggest internal organ of your body and plays an essential role in your health. In addition to filtering toxins from your blood, it produces bile that aids in digestion, helps your blood clot, and metabolizes proteins and carbohydrates. It does all this and more from its location in the upper right part of your abdomen, protected by your lower ribs.

The difference between acute and chronic liver disease

Acute liver disease can come on suddenly and progress quickly – it’s possible for your liver to lose its ability to function within days or weeks. It happens most often to people who don’t already have a liver condition or certain types of liver diseases.

Chronic liver disease is more common and develops gradually. In its early stages, chronic liver disease can be asymptomatic. However, the sooner it’s detected the better you can manage it. If you suspect something, it’s a good idea to consult with your primary care provider.

Signs and symptoms of liver disease

Liver disease shows up in a variety of ways, including both external and internal symptoms that you can see and feel.

Liver disease impacts men and women differently

According to the National Institutes of Health, men and women experience liver disease differently. Women seem to have more favorable outcomes for early stage liver disease than men, but the positions are reversed for late stage liver disease – men tend to be hospitalized less and experience fewer complications when being treated for late stage liver disease. Doctors don’t know exactly why this happens. Possible reasons include hormones working differently in the body, different responses to injury on a genetic level and immune system differences.

Visible symptoms of liver disease

Liver disease effects how you look and feel. When your liver isn’t working properly, your body sends some distinct signs.

Jaundice and yellowing of the skin

The most well-known symptom of liver disease is jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes and inside your nose and mouth.

Rashes and itching

Rashes and itchy skin are symptoms of liver disease, and they may be localized or affect your whole body. Itching and rashes can be early signs that your liver isn’t working properly and can continue throughout chronic liver disease. Itching can also be a sign of specific types of liver diseases.

Dark urine color

A poorly functioning liver can cause your urine to change color for the same reason that your skin might turn yellow. When the liver can’t properly filter dead red blood cells, the pigment red blood cells make can travel to your kidneys and cause your urine to turn dark.

Pale stool

Liver disease makes a difference in the color of your stool. Again, when your liver isn’t working properly, the bile made in your liver and released by the gallbladder, can cause this discoloration to occur.

How liver disease feels

In addition to visible symptoms, liver disease causes symptoms that may make you feel tired. There are a lot of factors involving liver disease that can cause someone to feel tired. This may be from different types of liver disease where tiredness is characteristic of that disease. It also could be caused by how poorly the liver is functioning or from lack of nutrition.

Typically, people will not feel pain with liver disease or even cirrhosis because the liver has no pain nerves that go to it.

The progression of liver disease

There are different characteristics to expect as liver disease progresses in the body to cirrhosis:

  • Inflammation – Different types of liver disease cause inflammation of the liver cells which can be reflected in lab tests.
  • Scarring – Inflammation over time causes the liver to build scar tissue which can block or limit blood flow within the liver.
  • Cirrhosis – This is when the scarring becomes end stage and is difficult to reverse, but liver function is still normal or near normal.
  • End-stage cirrhosis – When the liver function is declining.

Causes of liver disease

A variety of factors can contribute to liver disease:

  • Viruses – Hepatitis is a type of virus that affects your liver. Depending on the type, it can cause acute or chronic liver disease.
  • Genetics – Some types of liver disease are genetic and can run in the family.
  • Alcohol – Excessive alcohol use can cause inflammation and scarring of your liver.
  • Lifestyle – A diet that is high in fat and/or processed sugars, lack of activity, excess weight, diabetes, cholesterol issues or obstructive sleep apnea can all cause MASLD.
  • Autoimmune hepatitis – This autoimmune condition targets the liver.

Treatment of liver disease may mean medical treatment and lifestyle changes

There are many ways to treat and even prevent liver disease. In some cases, your liver can heal itself as it is the second most regenerative organ in the body. Changes to what you eat and increasing your activity levels are also effective.

Medicines that help treat liver disease

Depending on the type and stage of liver disease, there are medications that can be effective in slowing its progress or reversing liver damage. Some include:

  • Antiviral Drugs – If hepatitis is causing liver disease, antiviral drugs can slow progression and prevent liver damage, depending on the type and stage of hepatitis.
  • Immunomodulators – Autoimmune liver diseases can be controlled with immunomodulators. These are similar to immunosuppressants but do not suppress the immune system to the same degree.
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid – This is a medication for cholestatic liver diseases and helps with bile function in your liver.
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and other medications – This is a treatment for liver injury associated with Tylenol overdose.

Surgery for liver disease

For people with cirrhosis who have compromised liver function, your clinician will help determine if a liver transplant evaluation makes sense.

Diet

Foods that are good for your liver are good for the rest of you, too. The Mediterranean Diet and other anti-inflammatory foods have been found to be beneficial for liver health, including:

  • Antioxidant-rich food such as berries and grapefruit
  • Green vegetables
  • Green tea
  • Coffee
  • Spinach
  • Salmon
  • Nuts
  • Turmeric
  • Whole grains
  • Unsaturated fats

Food and drinks that don’t support liver health include highly processed meats, high sugar drinks and alcohol. Consume these in moderation or not at all.

Lifestyle changes may help prevent liver disease

It’s always a good idea to make healthier lifestyle choices. Your liver will thank you, and so will the rest of you. Cut out or reduce your alcohol intake, quit using tobacco and remove highly processed foods from your diet. Become more active even if it’s just adding more steps to your day – little changes will make a difference.

When to see a doctor

Depending on the cause, your liver may be able to repair itself and even regenerate if liver disease is caught in the early stages and you get the right treatment. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this blog, especially yellowing of the skin or changes in the color of your urine or stool, make an appointment with your primary care provider. They can check symptoms, order labs and refer you to a gastroenterologist if needed.