Signs You May Have Liver Stress

Introduction

The liver is one of the most hardworking but undervalued organs in the body. While much attention is given to heart health, weight loss, and glowing skin, it is the liver that performs approximately hundreds of essential functions. These include storing nutrients like sugar, minerals, and vitamins to fuel the body; controlling the production and excretion of cholesterol; producing bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and helps break down fats¹; and filtering out harmful substances, such as alcohol, medicines, and environmental factors². 

Just like the heart, the liver can also be stressed; however, unlike heart problems that may show early signs, the symptoms of a distressed liver show up very late. The liver is stressed when it is overworked and becomes sluggish. 

Liver Stress Signs

So, how do you understand if the liver is in distress? Here are 17 symptoms that may indicate your liver is under stress: 

1. Skin Discolouration

Skin discolouration may sometimes be linked to liver problems. If your skin colour changes to jaundice yellow or pale with a blue tinge, your nails or fingertips turn yellow, or you have yellowing of the eyes, it is advisable to visit a doctor. This change in colour occurs because the body is unable to flush out the toxins, which leads to bilirubin accumulating under the skin, causing skin discolouration³. 

2. Digestion Problems

Feel bloated frequently and have constipation too? Frequent indigestion may be associated with liver issues. With bloating, you may experience stomach pain as well⁴. This happens because the bile is unable to break down the food during digestion. 

Another important sign is Spider naevi. Spider naevi or angiomas are small clusters of blood vessels that form just beneath the skin, often spreading outward like a spider’s legs. Angiomas typically appear red or purple in colour. These are often present in excessive numbers in people with liver disease.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD (Pediatrics)

3. Pains and Body Aches

The liver plays an essential role in filtering blood and supports the synthesis of many nutrients needed for good health. However, when the liver is stressed, it may affect the synthesis and delivery of nutrients to muscles, tissues and tendons. This may lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue⁵. 

4. Fatigue

Do you feel tired all the time? Persistent fatigue may occur when the liver isn’t functioning efficiently. When the body is under continuous strain, it may place additional pressure on the liver and other organs, leading to persistent tiredness. It is best to get your liver checked at this point⁵. 

5. Darker Urine

Is your urine darker than usual? It is possible that this may be due to inadequate water intake, which may cause your stools to be darker too. If you start drinking enough water and the colour of your urine and stool lightens, all may be well. However, if your urine and stool colour are still dark, you should seek medical help as this may be caused by liver problems⁵. 

The culture of fast foods these days is slowly damaging the liver due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Avoiding refined sugar and fast foods and eating before dusk helps a lot in prevention of fat accumulation in the liver, which can allay liver stress symptoms (by promoting weight loss).

Dr. Nikhil Yadav, MBBS MD, CCEBDM

6. Emotional Disturbance

When the liver is stressed, some individuals may experience mood changes or emotional disturbances, such as irritability, anxiety, mood swings, and depression, and some may even experience cognitive impairment, meaning their memory, attention span, and decision-making may be affected⁶. 

7. Loss of Appetite

Another potential liver distress symptom is little-to-no interest in food. A reduced desire to eat is often caused by an underlying health issue and should be taken seriously⁵.  

8. Irregular Sleep Cycles

Although irregular sleep pattern is a common occurrence amongst millennials due to a stressed lifestyle, a study⁷ found that liver cirrhosis was responsible for unusual sleep patterns in many patients. 

9. Failing Memory

When you have liver problems, the liver may not be able to purify your blood adequately. When toxins are not removed from the blood, it may lead to symptoms like memory loss, difficulty thinking, and confusion⁵. 

10. Skin Itchiness

Abnormal skin itchiness may be a symptom of liver cirrhosis³. 

11. Weight Gain

Liver disease tends to develop over time, slowly replacing healthy liver tissue with scarred or damaged tissue. This affects liver function and changes the metabolism, hormonal balance, and many other factors, which may lead to weight gain⁸. 

12. Palms Turn Red

Experts believe that when you develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (liver disease not associated with alcohol), your palms start to turn reddish, an outward indicator of liver dysfunction³. 

13. Enlarged Breasts in Men

Another probable symptom of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the enlargement of breasts in men. Although the exact cause of this is unclear, it is speculated that this may occur due to excess production of the female hormone, oestrogen, in this condition⁹. 

14. Easy Bruising of the Skin

Liver damage also manifests in the form of easy and sudden skin bruises and even bleeding⁵. 

15. Swelling

Swelling in the ankles and feet may also be associated with liver dysfunction. There may also be abdominal swelling due to the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen⁵. 

Liver function tests are commonly recommended blood tests for measuring different enzymes, proteins and other substances made by the liver. Changes noticed in liver function tests should be reviewed by a physician to find the cause and manage the condition.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D., in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

16. Chills

Experiencing chills is often a natural response of the body when the mercury drops or when you are developing a fever. However, if none of this fits the bill, it could indicate cholestasis (blocked or reduced bile flow) associated with liver disease¹⁰. 

17. Other Symptoms of Liver Stress

When the liver is under stress, it can disrupt many bodily functions and may be associated with symptoms such as ringing in the ears, sleep disturbances, dizziness, blurry vision, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal bleeding, reduced sex drive, unexplained weight changes, sensitivity to chemicals, and the appearance of spider veins^11,5. 

Also Read: Natural Home Remedies for Fatty Liver

Conclusion

A healthy liver is important for overall well-being, as it supports many essential functions like the storage of nutrients, digestion, and filtering blood. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms mentioned in this article, it is advisable to consult your doctor or a liver specialist today to identify the cause of your symptoms and support the timely management of liver issues. 

Also Read: What is Hepatitis A? Causes, Symptoms, and How It Spreads 

References

1. Kalra A, Yetiskul E, Wehrle CJ, Tuma F. Physiology, Liver [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan; [updated 2023 May 1; cited 2025 Apr 23]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535438/ 
2. Lin HM, Zhang JR, Li MX, Hou H, Wang H, Huang Y. Cigarette smoking and alcohol-related liver disease. Liver Res. 2024 Dec 5;8(4):237-245. doi: 10.1016/j.livres.2024.12.002.. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11771264/ 
3. Bhandari A, Mahajan R. Skin Changes in Cirrhosis. J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2022 Jul-Aug;12(4):1215-1224. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9257870/  
4. Kalaitzakis E. Gastrointestinal dysfunction in liver cirrhosis. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Oct 28;20(40):14686-95. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4209534/ 
5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & Causes of Cirrhosis [Internet]. NIDDK; [cited 2025 Apr 23]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis/symptoms-causes 
6. Golabi P, Otgonsuren M, Cable R, Felix S, Koenig A, Sayiner M, Younossi ZM. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is associated with impairment of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2016 Feb 9;14:18. doi: 10.1186/s12955-016-0420-z. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4746896/ 
7. Bruyneel M, Sersté T. Sleep disturbances in patients with liver cirrhosis: prevalence, impact, and management challenges. Nat Sci Sleep. 2018 Nov 2;10:369-375. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6220431/ 
8. Elsabaawy M. Liver at crossroads: unraveling the links between obesity, chronic liver diseases, and the mysterious obesity paradox. Clin Exp Med. 2024 Oct 14;24(1):240. doi: 10.1007/s10238-024-01493-y. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11473604/ 
9. Swerdloff RS, Ng JCM. Gynecomastia: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment [Internet]. In: Feingold KR, Ahmed SF, Anawalt B, et al., editors. Endotext. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000; [updated 2023 Jan 6; cited 2025 Apr 23]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279105/ 
10. Goulding JM, Pitcher A, Piris J, Conlon CP. Fevers, headache and abnormal liver function in a 68-year-old man. J R Soc Med. 2010 Jul;103(7):295-6. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2895522/ 
11. Joung JY, Cho JH, Kim YH, Choi SH, Son CG. A literature review for the mechanisms of stress-induced liver injury. Brain Behav. 2019 Mar;9(3):e01235. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6422711/ 

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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