6 signs your liver can't stand your lifestyle anymore

The liver is an essential organ of our body which performs more than 500 vital functions, like removing waste products and foreign substances from our bloodstream , regulating blood sugar levels and creating essential nutrients. The liver plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, but if our lifestyle is unhealthy ,the liver won't be able to keep up, which will lead to many health issues. 

Here are 6 symptoms of an overworked liver:

Hormonal imbalance 

One of the significant roles of the liver is to regulate hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormone. The liver removes any excess hormones from the body.

Factors like excessive drinking, certain medication or disease , infections and genetic factors can affect the liver's health.

If your liver isn't functioning optimally, it won't be able to remove excess hormones at its normal rate, leading to hormonal imbalance.

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance as a result of liver malfunction are:

• Unexplained weight gain, or weight loss
• Mood swings
• Changes in blood pressure or heart rate
• Excessive sweating,
• Changes in sensitivity cold and heat
• Bloating
• Reduced sex drive..etc.

Confusion

Our liver filters toxins  and waste products from our body, and when it overloads it can lead up to toxins in the bloodstream. This can cause confusion, memory loss and difficulty concentrating. 

In severe cases, it can lead to a condition called hepatic encephalopathy, where the unfiltered toxins affect brain function and cause confusion, mood changes and even coma.

Mood swings 

The liver is also involved in the production and regulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin , which is essential in regulating the mood. When our liver isn’t working properly or is damaged, we can experience mood swings, anxiety and depression.

Low blood sugar

Our liver acts as a reservoir of glucose, because it helps process and produce it when your body needs it. When the liver fails, it cannot produce enough glucose, or maintain glycogen stores, as a result of this your blood sugar drops dramatically. In addition, liver failure can lead to a reduced ability of insulin, which is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Immune disorders 

Another vital function of our liver is helping our immune function, by removing harmful bacteria and toxins from the bloodstream .When our liver is damaged, it can lead to immune disorders such as autoimmune disease , where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues .

Symptoms of immune disorder as a result of damaged liver are:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Skin rashes
• And other chronic health conditions.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder , which causes you to stop breathing when you are sleeping, due to a blockage in the airway. Even though people who suffer from this condition are not always as a result of liver failure,  sleep apnea has been linked to a higher risk of non alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver and can damage it.

One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is snoring.

To conclude, the liver is a vital organ that performs several essential functions, and when it can't keep up with the demands of a unhealthy lifestyle, it can lead to many health issues. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is important to take action to support your liver health by eating a healthy diet, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, and taking medication as prescribed. If the symptoms are more frequent and severe it's best to consult with your healthcare provider.