Doctor explains four simple tests you can do at home to see if you're suffering from serious liver problems

Following a festive period full of booze, you might have decided to take part in Dry January to give your body a chance to detox.

After all, drinking excessively can lead to a whole host of health problems including an increased risk of cancer, heart disease and strokes.

And, in severe cases, alcohol can cause inflammation of the liver, as well as ARLD (alcohol-related liver disease).

According to the NHS, common symptoms of ARLD include jaundice, loss of appetite (which may lead to weight loss), feeling sick, swelling in the ankles and stomach, and confusion or drowsiness. However, these symptoms don't usually occur until the liver has already been severely damaged.

Now, one doctor has shared four ways you can check your liver health at home.

Gastroenterologist, Dr Saurabh Sethi, shared his advice with his 475,000 TikTok followers in a video captioned: "Liver Specialist: 4 simple at-home tests to check your liver health."

Yellowing of the eyes and skin

The medic first explained that you should look out for 'yellowing of your skin and eyes, especially in natural light'.

"This could indicate liver dysfunction," the doc explained.

Dark yellow or amber urine

Normal urine should be a pale yellow, the doc says, explaining 'dark yellow or amber urine might signal liver issues'.

Swelling around your midsection

Swelling around your midsection is a red flag that can indicate fluid buildup caused by liver problems.

Pale or clay-coloured stools

It's important to keep an eye on your number twos, as the colour could indicate whether there's something going on with your liver.

The doc explained that pale or clay-coloured poo is a key warning sign that something isn't right.

While some types of liver disease are unpreventable, you can lower your risks of developing others by maintaining a health weight and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.

If you're worried about how much you drink, a doctor has revealed the one question to ask yourself to help determine if you have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy told LADbible: "Typically, it takes a while before people notice their own dependence, but spotting it early can limit long-term health risks and help people take control of their lives.

"One of the main questions people should ask themselves is 'Do I generally end up drinking more than I originally planned?' As this can be a massive indicator of unhealthy dependence.

"Struggling to have only one drink can suggest a mental dependence on drinking and is a major symptom experienced by many alcoholics."

Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.