The liver is a very important part of our body. It performs many important functions, such as digesting food, removing toxins and keeping the body clean. Liver diseases are initially asymptomatic. For example, fatty liver, hepatitis B or alcohol-related diseases remain hidden for many years without any symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, the liver is very damaged, which is called cirrhosis. Once cirrhosis occurs, the liver cannot return to normal, even if you quit drinking or lose weight. There are many symptoms of liver damage and some of these symptoms can be seen on your neck. Gastroenterologist Dr. Bhaskar Nandi is telling you about these symptoms and also ways to keep the liver healthy.
Symptoms of liver damage
The liver is a very important part of our body. It performs many important functions, such as digesting food, removing toxins and keeping the body clean. Liver diseases are initially asymptomatic. For example, fatty liver, hepatitis B or alcohol-related diseases remain hidden for many years without any symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, the liver is very damaged, which is called cirrhosis. Once cirrhosis occurs, the liver cannot return to normal, even if you quit drinking or lose weight. There are many symptoms of liver damage and some of these symptoms can be seen on your neck. Gastroenterologist Dr. Bhaskar Nandi is telling you about these symptoms and also ways to keep the liver healthy.
Darkening or thickening of the skin on the neck
Sudden darkening of the neck color, such as brown or black skin, thickening and velvety skin. These may be signs of fatty liver or insulin resistance. If a person has obesity, diabetes or PCOD, then these symptoms can be seen in them.
Itching on the neck
If the bile ducts of the liver get blocked, bile salts get accumulated in the body which can cause itching all over the body, especially in the neck, back and hands and feet. Scratch marks can also appear on the skin.
Yellowness on the neck
When the liver causes jaundice, it affects the skin and eyes as well as the skin of the neck. This can make the skin look yellow. If something like this is happening to you, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Itching on the neck
If the bile ducts of the liver get blocked, bile salts get accumulated in the body which can cause itching all over the body, especially in the neck, back and hands and feet. Scratch marks can also appear on the skin.
Mistakes that damage the liver
Obesity causes the most damage to the liver. Apart from this, liver can be damaged due to alcohol consumption, eating outside junk food, lack of sleep and lack of exercise etc.
How to identify liver health without a doctor
You can guess the condition of your liver from some signs, such as mild pain or heaviness in the right side of the stomach, lack of appetite, not feeling like eating, feeling tired, weak and not gaining weight. If you have any of these signs, then definitely get an ultrasound and liver function test (LFT) done once.
Ways to 'detox' the liver
Some things can help in keeping the liver healthy. These include consuming more green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, eggs, fiber-rich foods and water-rich foods. Apart from this, control your weight, stop drinking alcohol, get liver function tests and ultrasound done from time to time.
PC:NBT
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