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What Does a Bad Liver Look Like?

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdomen, right below the diaphragm. It sits on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. The liver is shaped like a triangle and helps balance chemical levels in the body, in addition to managing waste products.

  1. Appearance of a Healthy Liver

    • The liver, which weighs about three pounds, is a dark reddish-brown color, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. The liver contains about one pint of blood at any given moment. It is the only organ in the entire body that can regrow or "regenerate" itself.

    Appearance of a Damaged or Bad Liver

    • A liver that is inflamed, harder, or larger than normal may be a sign of cirrhosis, states the American Liver Foundation. A liver with cirrhosis, or "fatty liver disease," will be a shade of pale yellow, reports the Mercer University School of Medicine. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic reports that a liver with cirrhosis will have an abundance of scar tissue, which makes it extremely difficult for the liver to properly function.

    Symptoms of a Damaged or Bad Liver

    • There are particular signs that indicate liver problems, namely cirrhosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include discolored skin and eyes that appear yellowish; abdominal pain and swelling; itchy skin that doesn't seem to go away; urine that is dark in color; pale, tar, or bloody stool color; chronic fatigue; loss of appetite; and/or nausea. Mild cirrhosis may not even display these symptoms, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.

    Causes of Liver Damage

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, there are various factors that can cause liver damage. These include but are not limited to: acute liver failure, liver cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, liver cancer, and or parasitic infection.

    Cirrhosis

    • One of the more prevalent problems that can cause damage to the liver is cirrhosis. According to the American Liver Foundation, cirrhosis is the result of long-term liver diseases that damage liver tissue. It can take many years for cirrhosis to develop. The most common cause of cirrhosis is alcoholism, reports the American Liver Foundation. Hepatitis C, hepatitis B, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or bile duct disease can also cause cirrhosis.

    Treament

    • The Mayo Clinic states that treatment for liver problems varies on the diagnosis and its severity. While some can be treated with medications, other cases may require surgery.

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