Early Symptoms of Liver Problems

The liver is an important organ within the body that is located on the right hand side of the abdomen below the rib cage. The function of the liver is to filter out toxins from the blood and aids in the digestion of food. A healthy liver can regenerate itself when it is damaged, however, if problems keep the liver from functioning properly, symptoms will occur.

Inflammation of the Liver

• The liver becomes inflamed due to infection or injury, causing the liver to become tender and enlarged.

Jaundice

• The liver produces bile and when bile isn't produced properly jaundice is a result. Jaundice causes yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Stomach Distention

• Hepatomegaly is a condition in which the liver becomes enlarged, causing the stomach to feel bloated and the abdomen on the right hand side, under the rib cage, becomes distended.

Pale or Light Color Stool

• When the liver functions properly to secrete bile, the normal color of stool is dark, however, when bile becomes blocked or the liver doesn't make enough bile, the stool becomes light or pale in color.

Fatigue

• A person will begin feeling chronic fatigue or tiredness because the body is trying to fight off whatever is wrong with the liver. The body's first response is to get more rest.