| Liver problems can range from mild liver | | | | |
| congestion to a serious liver disease. | | | | Frequent headaches |
| Depending on the problem, many people are | | | | |
| unaware they have a liver problem and may | | | | Bad breath, digestive problems, bloating, |
| only have vague symptoms. One of the most | | | | gas, indigestion |
| common symptoms is chronic tiredness. These | | | | |
| people generally feel lethargic and sluggish | | | | Allergies and intolerances to foods that are |
| during the day, especially in the morning.Due | | | | worsening as time goes on |
| to the fact that the liver is one of the | | | | |
| hardest working organs in the body and has | | | | Reactions to many chemicals including |
| many roles, there are a number of problems | | | | cleaning products, petrol, paint, perfumes, |
| that can occur with the liver. The three main | | | | bleaches, etc. |
| categories these problems fall into | | | | |
| are:1. Disease of the liver cells2. Problems | | | | Problems digesting fatty/creamy/oily foods. |
| producing or secreting bile3. Problems with | | | | They can make you feel unwell, nauseous or |
| detoxificationHow do you know if you have a | | | | cause heart burn and reflux |
| liver problem?Tests are available through | | | | |
| standard pathology labs that measure liver | | | | A yellowish tinge to the skin, eyes and |
| enzymes, total protein, albumin and | | | | palms of the hands |
| bilirubin. Although these tests are called | | | | |
| liver %u2018function%u2019 tests, they | | | | Reactions to drugs, in particular headache |
| indicate whether the liver is damaged rather | | | | tablets, antibiotics and anti-histamines |
| than how it is functioning. In other words, | | | | |
| they are used to detect liver diseases, such | | | | An intolerance to alcohol. Either you get |
| as hepatitis and cirrhosis as well as liver | | | | drunk very quickly or you have bad hangovers |
| cells being damaged from viruses, bacteria, | | | | that are out of proportion to the amount of |
| alcohol, drugs and so on. These tests are not | | | | alcohol you have drunk |
| useful in detecting mild problems with liver | | | | |
| congestion and sluggish detoxification. This | | | | Caffeine gives you a strong buzz and can |
| is best done by observing your symptoms. | | | | keep you awake for hours |
| However, it is important to consult your | | | | |
| practitioner and have the tests performed | | | | When you eat asparagus, you have a funny |
| anyway, just to rule out the possibility of | | | | smell in your urine |
| liver disease.An ultrasound can detect if | | | | |
| there is a blockage in the bile duct. This is | | | | Skin problems such as acne, eczema, |
| most commonly caused by the presence of | | | | psoriasis, general rashes, itchy skin |
| gallstones in the biliary duct. It is | | | | |
| estimated that around 10-20% of people over | | | | Hot flushes that feel as if they rise up |
| 40 years of age have gallstones and their | | | | from the torso towards the head |
| presence is linked to a high fat, low fibre | | | | |
| diet. The presence of gallstones in the bile | | | | You frequently wake up around 1-3am in the |
| duct typically causes nausea and pain. Bile | | | | morningPlease note: The information in this |
| flow can also be impaired through the liver, | | | | article is not intended to take the place of |
| however this can be difficult to detect with | | | | a personal relationship with a qualified |
| standard testing.General symptoms that can | | | | health practitioner nor is it intended as |
| indicate a liver problemFeel tired and | | | | medical advice.Alison Cassar is a |
| unrefreshed when you wake up | | | | naturopathic practitioner and nutritionist |
| | | | and runs a busy clinic in Sydney, Australia. |
| Energy levels fluctuate throughout the day, | | | | Her particular interest is chronic tiredness |
| with your tiredness becoming worse around | | | | as it's a very common presenting symptom in |
| mid-morning and/or mid-afternoon | | | | clinic. Her website and e-book explores the |
| | | | many causes of tiredness as well as solutions |
| Difficulty losing weight | | | | and prevention. |