Liver disease symptoms

Liver disease symptoms can be elusive, such as fatigue and loss of appetite, or more obvious. But a raised liver function test can identify more serious problems.

What are the liver disease symptoms to look out for?

Liver disease is a broad term. It can be genetic; certain infections can lead to liver disease -- most commonly Hepatitis; liver disease can be caused by alcohol abuse and even obesity. Liver disease symptoms can be obvious – for example jaundice and in the case of severe liver disease, fluid accumulation – or they can be more subtle, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, or nausea. It should be remembered that many of these symptoms can be associated with other conditions, so just because you’ve lost your appetite and are feeling nauseous doesn’t mean you have liver disease.

Are you at risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

It’s not always easy for patients to determine if they are at risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) since there are often no clear liver disease symptoms. However, some subtle symptoms can include enlarged liver, fatigue, and pain in the upper right side of your abdomen.

But patients with metabolic syndrome – a collection of disorders that increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes – are at greater risk of NAFLD. Unfortunately, if these liver disease symptoms are ignored, NAFLD or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis can progress to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.

How should you manage fatty liver disease?

If you have or suspect you have liver disease symptoms, you should seek the advice of a liver specialist. There are also lifestyle ways you can better manage your condition, including eating a healthy diet high in fibre, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, low salt, healthy oils and low fat dairy, and cutting out alcohol. Regular exercise to lose weight can also help you to manage liver disease symptoms.

Healthy Liver

Fatty Liver

Liver Cirrhoses

What should you do about liver disease symptoms?

It’s important to realise that even if you feel well, a raised liver function test shouldn’t be ignored. And while NAFLD is often associated with obesity, you don’t have to be overweight to have fatty liver disease. Our specialists at The Surgeons Collective will discuss with you what these tests can mean to determine your risk of a liver condition and what steps you should take to manage liver disease symptoms. This might include changing to a high protein, high energy diet to manage nausea or a low salt, high protein diet if your condition has progressed to cirrhosis.

At the Surgeons Collective in Perth we are committed to excellence in care and ensuring you have the treatment you need. We may carry out a liver biopsy for a clear diagnosis, and if your condition is more serious and a liver transplant is required, our expert liver surgeons ensure you are in the best hands.

If you have any concerns about symptoms that may indicate a liver problem, call The Surgeons Collective or discuss your referral with your GP.

How our Perth bariatric surgery practice tackles the cost

When you visit our weight loss surgery Perth clinic, we explain the full cost of bariatric surgery. Our practice has two gastric sleeve specialists -- Mr Siva Sundararajan and Mr Adrian Teo and we offer two different price structures. So, it’s important that you ask for a quote from your surgeon of choice. Both are highly accomplished bariatric surgeons with international experience.

Another bariatric surgery cost consideration we will talk to you about is Medicare coverage. For many patients, Medicare does cover some of the cost of your surgery and first consultation with your surgeon. Our weight loss practice in Perth will help you understand the full fee structure and what you should expect.

If you are considering weight loss surgery, you can count on our team’s total commitment, our excellent surgical outcomes, and on our full support as you go through this journey. Come and see us to find out more.

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Gemma Gilbert Dietitian at The Surgeons Collective Perth

About the author

Mr Suresh Navadgi | Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgeon & General Surgeon

Mr Suresh Navadgi is a consultant surgeon affiliated with Royal Perth Hospital as an Upper GI and Hepato-biliary Surgeon as well as at Fiona Stanley Hospital as a Renal Transplant Surgeon. He specialises in complex laparoscopic Upper GI surgery for benign conditions such as reflux, hiatus hernia, bile duct stones, splenectomy.

More information about Mr Suresh Navadgi

Liver disease symptoms: subtle signs that your liver is not healthy