Being aware of the early signs of liver damage helps you initiate certain measures to fix things before they become worse or irreversible. And this article helps you know about such symptoms! Liver is the largest organ in the body, and also one of the most important parts performing a wide range of processes required for daily functioning. It is located under the rib cage on the right side of the abdomen, and is the size of a football. Among the essential functions carried out by the liver include, detoxification of the body, protein synthesis, and manufacture of biochemicals that are necessary for digestion. Also, this is the only organ in the body that has the capability to regenerate itself. However, there are several factors which can cause the liver to malfunction and give rise to certain medical conditions in the body. Some of these conditions may have been inherited, and some may have viruses and other pathogens as the offenders. Some are temporary by nature, while some can be chronic long-lasting thus, giving way to the development of serious complications. The rest of the article will list out some of the common early signs of liver damage, which you can watch out for, and communicate the issue to your health care provider or a doctor. Early Signs of Liver Damage; The symptoms may vary according to the cause of damage to the liver. However, there are some signs and symptoms which are commonly observed by medical practitioners while diagnosing their patients. These may include; * Nausea, poor appetite, and chronic fatigue are some of the common signs of liver damage. * Pain in the abdominal region, that may be accompanied by swelling. * The skin may get persistently itchy one of the early signs of liver damage from alcohol. * The skin, nails and whites of the eyes losing their natural color, and turning yellow. * The stool may be paler than usual; may be covered with blood or may be tar-colored. * Urine color may be darker than normal. Causes of Liver Damage; A wide variety of medical conditions are associated with liver damage. The below has attempted to list out the most common ones. Working closely with your doctor would help you to get to more specific diagnosis of what's causing the condition in you. * Alcoholic hepatitis * Autoimmune hepatitis * Cancer of the liver * Cirrhosis * Gilbert's syndrome here the liver does not process what is known as bilirubin * Hemochromatosis too much absorption of iron by the body * Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E * Infection of the liver caused by parasites * Liver adenoma * Liver cyst * Liver enlargement * Liver failure acute, or chronic * Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease * Obstruction of the bile duct * Toxic hepatitis * Wilson's disease Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Damage; > At the doctor's, the patient would be recommended to undergo a group of blood tests, and procedures such as CT scan, MRI and ultrasound. Also, liver biopsy, wherein, a small tissue of the liver would be removed, for examining it under a microscope. > And it is obvious to know, treatment mainly depends upon the cause. After the cause is diagnosed, the doctor may prescribe necessary medications. Cases which do not respond to drugs, may be dealt with surgery. And in cases wherein, the liver damage is such that it may cause liver failure, then transplanting the organ may be recommended. > Besides keeping an eye on the early symptoms of liver damage, here's how you can protect the organ . It is recommended to go for two drinks of alcohol a day for men, and one drink a day for women, if at all the person drinks. Getting vaccinated serves to be the best defense against hepatitis. Be certain about the use of medications, prescription or non-prescription. Avoid exposure to pesticides, know that a plant-based diet is healthier for the liver, and maintain a healthy weight.