1. Jaundice
Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by the yellow discoloration of body tissues, particularly the skin and the whites of the eyes. This occurs due to the blood’s build-up of a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment produced when red blood cells break down. When an adult becomes jaundiced, it can indicate an underlying health issue that needs attention. Jaundice is commonly associated with liver disease, as it often results from a disruption in the balance between the production and clearance of bilirubin. In liver damage or dysfunction cases, the liver cells may be unable to process and excrete this substance effectively, causing an accumulation in the body and subsequent yellowing of tissues (Ravindran, 2020).
2. Pale Stool
The brown colour of your stool is due to the release of bile salts from your liver. If your liver isn’t producing an adequate amount of bile, or if the flow of bile is blocked, disrupting the draining process from your liver, your stools may appear pale or clay-coloured (Bergasa & Tasuku, 2014)
3. Dark Urine
Approximately 25% of individuals with liver cirrhosis experience a symptom known as palmar erythema, which causes the palms of the hands to appear red. Additionally, dark urine that appears dark orange, amber, cola-coloured, or brown can indicate liver disease. This change in urine colour occurs due to elevated bilirubin levels when the liver cannot properly break it down. Even if adequately hydrated, persistently dark-coloured urine might be an early sign of liver dysfunction. The urine may present as brown, amber, or orange due to the accumulation of bilirubin (Braga Neto et al., 2022).
4. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
An increased occurrence of restless leg syndrome (RLS) has been identified in patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, particularly in the United States and Japan. Among individuals with chronic liver disease, restlessness is commonly experienced as RLS. As liver damage progresses, more severe symptoms may manifest, including edema (fluid retention causing swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet) and ascites (abdominal swelling caused by fluid accumulation) (Franco et al., 2008).
5. Bruising Easily
Liver damage can reduce the body’s production of proteins essential for blood clotting. As a result, individuals may experience increased susceptibility to bleeding and bruising (Sugiyama et al., 2009).
6. Itchy skin
Pruritus, commonly known as itching, is a well-recognized and common symptom of cholestatic liver disease. This type of itching tends to intensify during the late evening and at night, leading to significant distress for individuals affected. It can manifest as localized itching in specific areas such as the limbs, feet’ soles, or hands’ palms or as a pervasive, whole-body itch (Hegade et al., 2015).
7. Nausea or vomiting
Early signs of liver disease, often starting with nausea and an upset stomach, should not be taken lightly. As the liver’s ability to rid the body of toxins diminishes, these digestive issues can worsen. The persistence of nausea, a result of an excess buildup of waste products in the body, and unexplained vomiting, frequently associated with liver-related issues, should raise a sense of concern and prompt immediate attention (Wang et al., 2018).
8. Loss of Appetite
Individuals may commonly experience a reduced desire to eat as the liver’s function declines (Chapman et al., 2020). Specifically, research indicates that 36% of patients with cirrhosis reported decreased appetite (Ishizu et al., 2022).
