Jaundice And Other Non-Specific Symptoms Of Liver Disease
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The most common symptom of serious liver disease is jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and the sclera or white of the eyes due to the build-up of bilirubin in the blood.
Other non-specific symptoms include:
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Intense itching due to the high levels of bile products accumulating under the skin
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Abdominal pain or severe tenderness when touching the abdomen
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Swelling in the abdomen (ascites) due to the build-up of fluids in the abdominal cavity when damaged cells cannot make enough protein to maintain fluid balance
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Swelling in the legs and ankles (edema) also due to fluid retention
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Dark brown, orange, or amber urine due to the presence of bile products in the urine
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Pale or gray-colored stool caused by the impaired flow of bile (cholestasis) from the liver or biliary drainage system, preventing enough bile from reaching the stool
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Black, tarry stool or black specks in the stool caused by bleeding in the digestive tract
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Blood in the stool caused by bleeding from varicose veins in the esophagus and stomach
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Nausea or vomiting triggered by the build-up of toxins in the bloodstream
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Bruising easily due to the reduced quantity of blood-clotting proteins
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Multiple clusters of spider angioma or spider nevi
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Chronic fatigue
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Unexplained weight loss
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Loss of appetite
