Your liver does a lot: it cleans your blood, stores energy, and helps process drugs. When it’s damaged, symptoms can be subtle at first. Knowing the common causes and straightforward steps to protect your liver will help you spot problems early and get the right care.
Major causes include viral hepatitis (A, B, C), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcohol-related injury, autoimmune conditions, and drug-induced damage. Early signs are often vague — tiredness, mild stomach discomfort, or loss of appetite. Watch for clearer red flags: yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, swelling in the belly or legs, easy bruising, or sudden confusion. Those warrant same-day medical attention.
Risk factors to note: heavy alcohol use, obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, personal or family history of liver disease, or regular use of potentially harmful drugs and supplements. If any of these apply, tell your doctor and ask about testing.
Basic tests include liver function blood tests (LFTs), viral hepatitis panels, an abdominal ultrasound, and sometimes FibroScan or biopsy to check scarring. Treatment depends on the cause: antivirals for viral hepatitis, weight loss and blood sugar control for NAFLD, stopping alcohol for alcohol-related disease, and specific drugs for autoimmune forms. Your doctor will tailor the plan.
Practical daily actions you can take right now: stop or cut back on alcohol; aim for steady weight loss if overweight (5–10% of body weight often helps the liver); follow a balanced diet low in added sugars and refined carbs; stay active 150 minutes a week; and control blood sugar and cholesterol. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B if you’re at risk and your doctor recommends it.
Medication safety matters. Some common drugs can harm the liver in large doses — for example, high-dose acetaminophen. Natural supplements aren’t always safe either; discuss any herbs or over-the-counter products with your clinician. If you buy meds online, use a verified pharmacy, keep prescriptions current, and ask your provider if dose changes are needed for liver disease.
If you have long-term liver damage or cirrhosis, follow-up matters: routine labs, imaging, and screening for complications (like liver cancer) are standard. Small changes now — quitting alcohol, improving diet, and checking medicines — can slow or stop progression for many people.
Questions for your next doctor visit: What tests do I need? Which of my medicines should I avoid or adjust? Am I a candidate for vaccination? What realistic steps will help my liver this month? Bring a list of all medicines and supplements you take; it saves time and prevents surprises.
Want more specific info about liver-friendly meds, tests, or safe online pharmacies? Browse our articles or ask a clinician — liver issues are common but manageable when you act early and smart.