Liver and Kidney Problems
Liver Problems: Liver problems are an umbrella term for all the various conditions and diseases that affect the liver. The liver is a football-sized organ below the rib cage, and on the right side of the abdomen. It helps to absorb nutrients, digest foods, and flush out the toxins from the body.
Liver problems can happen because of certain harmful chemicals or viruses. Some problems can be temporary, while others can be of a serious nature and cause serious damage.
Symptoms of Liver Problems:
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Chronic fatigue
• Tar-colored stools
• Dark urine
• Itchy skin
• Abdominal swelling and pain
• Yellowish eyes and discolored skin
Liver problems can include acute liver failure, alcoholic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, bile duct obstruction, chronic liver failure, cirrhosis, enlarged liver, hepatitis – A to E, and liver adenoma. Some of the other liver problems include liver cancer, liver cyst, liver nodule, parasitic infection, toxic hepatitis, and Wilson’s disease.
Factors that can increase the risk of getting liver problems: Obesity, tattoos, heavy alcohol use, diabetes and a job that exposes you to other people’s body fluids can increase the risk of contracting liver problems. Working with toxic substances or chemicals without following the safety precautions can also lead to liver disease.
Kidney Failure: The kidneys are very important organs that filter the blood, flush out toxins, balance the level of electrolytes in the body, control the blood pressure and stimulate the formation of red blood cells. Located in abdomen, on either side of the spine, the kidneys control the amount of water that needs to be flushed out with urine, along with some amount of electrolytes.
Symptoms of Kidney Failure:
• Initially, there may not be any symptoms of kidney failure. But as the function of the kidney decreases, symptoms like an imbalance in the water and electrolytes begin to show up.
• Shortness of breath, lethargy, weakness and swelling may be some of the initial symptoms. If left untreated, the kidneys may suffer severe irreparable damage.
• Inability to flush out potassium and an increase in potassium levels in the serum can be another symptom. This symptom is often associated with fatal heart rhythm disturbances.
• The increase in the level of urea can adversely affect the functioning of the other organs. Some of the problems that might crop up because of a kidney problem include decreased muscle function that happens because of low calcium level and inflammation of the heart lining.
• Weakness because of anemia and a decreased count of the red blood cells is another symptom.
