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Cause of Fatigue With Liver Damage

According to the University of Southern California Department of Surgery, the liver performs more than 400 functions per day to maintain the overall health of the human body. There is a strong correlation between damage of this organ--the largest internal body organ--and fatigue.

  1. Significance

    • The link between fatigue and liver damage becomes clearer with understanding of the liver's role in the body. Of the hundreds of functions of the liver, the liver is responsible for blood circulation and regulation, nourishment of body cells, excretion for bile digestion and body cleansing, metabolism (of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals), protection and detoxification, production of urea and blood coagulating proteins and regulation of hormones.

    Toxic Substances

    • An abnormal liver functionality impairs the liver's ability to cleanse and detoxify the body by removing toxic substances. With toxic substances circulating in the bloodstream, body functions cannot perform at normal levels and the body feels fatigued.

    Vitamin Deficiency

    • A damaged liver cannot properly process and distribute vitamins and nutrients, imperative for all cellular processes of the body. This decreased supply of vitamins and nutrients depletes the body's source of strength and energy, hence, the feeling of fatigue.

    Fat Metabolism

    • A damaged liver loses its ability to properly process fat, leading to high levels of fat in the bloodstream, clogged arteries, fat buildup in other body organs and weight gain. This abnormal metabolism and extra body fat causes sluggishness.

    Nervous System Effects

    • Liver dysfunction has effects on the nervous system, leading to mood swings, depression, overheating of the body, poor concentration and headaches. Such tumultuous states of mind cause fatigue.

    Immune System Dysfunction

    • A damaged liver causes immune system dysfunction, so that not only is the body prone to allergies, skin conditions and autoimmune disease, but it is also prone to chronic fatigue syndrome, according to LiverDoctor.com.

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