Red flag signs of liver damage as doctor shares 'non-negotiable' habits to protect organ

Premature death from liver disease has increased by around 42 percent from 2001 to 2023 - here are the 'red flag' signs of liver disease which mean you need to seek medical attention.

Liver disease is becoming increasingly prevalent in the UK, with statistics from British Liver Trust revealing that around 11,000 Brits die from complications related to liver disease every year, while around two million people in the country are understood to suffer from illnesses related to the body's largest organ.

It's for this reason that health experts are keen to raise awareness about the warning signs related to liver disease and the dietary changes we can make to improve our health.

So what are the red flags which suggest you may have liver damage?

Symptoms of liver disease explained

Liver disease can be caused by numerous lifestyle factors and health conditions, with illnesses including alcohol-related liver disease, fatty liver disease and hepatitis.

Liver disease can be difficult to spot in its early stages (Getty Stock Images)

Early warning signs of liver disease can often be hard to spot or non-existent, however these can include:

• feeling generally unwell
• spider veins around the waist (spider angiomas)
• a sore feeling under your ribs on the right side
• blotchy red palms

Spider angiomas can be a warning sign (Getty Stock Images)

British Liver Trust notes that it's not always possible to tell if your liver is healthy of not from the symptoms you're experiencing.

As the damage to your liver progresses, you may experience symptoms such as jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, itchy skin and a lowered libido.

The NHS notes that in most cases, a person only experiences symptoms once their liver has become damaged and scarred (a condition known as cirrhosis).

What are the red flag signs of liver disease?

The following symptoms are considered to be red flags for liver disease and mean you should seek treatment from hospital right away.

These include (per British Liver Trust):

• vomiting blood
• feeling like you cannot get enough air when you breathe
• dark black or tar-like poo
• feeling unusually confused or finding it hard to stay awake
• jaundice, especially if you've not experienced it before

Cirrhosis, a permanent scarring of the liver, develops as the disease progresses (Getty Stock Images)

Changes you can make to look after your liver

If you're worried about the state of your liver and want to do all you can to make sure the organ is functioning the best that it can be, then you may want to check out Dr Angad Dhillon's list of non-negotiables when it comes to liver health.

Speaking to Stylist, Dr Dhillon said that regular movement was a 'non-negotiable' for her as well as not drinking on consecutive days.

One of her easiest tips to follow is to start the day with a coffee, citing research that moderate coffee consumption can reduce risk of liver inflammation and cirrhosis.

She also recommended cutting back on ultra-processed foods 'as much as possible' as it's 'one of the best things you can do' to protect your liver and introducing fermented foods such as kimchi and kefir.

"While the occasional treat won’t derail your health, making whole, unprocessed foods to foundation of your diet is one of the best things you can do to protect your liver," Dr Dhillon added.