Your liver can be damaged for years before you feel seriously ill and these 14 symptoms are the early warnings most people never recognise

Next, at Number 4, is “Swelling in Legs or Ankles”.

Liver damage can lead to fluid buildup in your ankles and legs. This happens because the loss of blood protein allows fluid to leak into the tissues. Due to gravity, the legs and ankles are often affected as fluid is pulled down towards the feet. In the late stages of liver damage, noticeable puffiness is commonly seen around the lower limbs.

Coming into Number 3, we have “Nail Changes”.

Various types of liver disease can have noticeable effects on the nails. For instance, Terry’s nails, which are mostly white with a thin, reddish-brown strip near the tip, are often linked to liver failure or cirrhosis.

In a study, 68 percent of liver disease patients (with cirrhosis, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B) had nail changes, while only 35 percent of the control group did. The most frequent change was a fungal nail infection called onychomycosis.

You may also notice other changes like ridges running lengthwise on the nails, nails that are prone to breaking, fingertips becoming rounded and enlarged, and nails that are thick, misshapen, or have unusual color.

Next, at number 2 is “Impotence & Loss of Libido”.

The prevalence of erectile dysfunction is high in men with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Liver damage can also lead to a decrease in sexual desire. Although the exact reasons for these symptoms require more research, many experts think they result from imbalances in sex hormones commonly seen in liver conditions. Also, alcohol seems to contribute to the loss of sexual function, particularly in men.

And at Number 1, we have “Bad Breath”

Fetor hepaticus is a chronic odor in your breath, different from normal bad breath, and is a distinctive symptom of liver disease. It is not related to dental hygiene, and cannot be solved by brushing your teeth more often or using special mouthwash. The scent is described as a mixture of rotten eggs and garlic. This symptom does not appear until there is already significant liver damage, and can only be solved by curing liver disease.

So, there you have it! Some of the most important symptoms of liver damage. If you have more than one of these symptoms, and they don’t go away, consult a healthcare professional who can evaluate your liver function.