What is the Link Between Liver Disease and Bowel Movements?

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Overview of Liver Disease

The liver is a vital organ responsible for digestion and filtering toxins from the bloodstream. Liver diseases such as fatty liver disease and cirrhosis can greatly affect its ability to perform these functions and cause detrimental effects all over the body. Certain health conditions like obesity, type two diabetes, and alcohol abuse can make you more susceptible to liver disease.

Symptoms of Liver Disease

The most common symptoms of liver disease include yellowed eyes and skin (jaundice), pain and swelling in the abdomen, swelling in legs and ankles, itchiness, pale stool, dark urine, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite or weight loss, and bruising easily.

How Liver Disease Affects Bowel Movements

Liver diseases such as fatty liver disease and cirrhosis can negatively impact gut health. Patients with fatty liver disease have a 13% higher risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome. Patients with more severe conditions like cirrhosis can experience a range of bowel problems and changes in stool color. These changes include pale stool due to a lack of bile salts and black, tarry stool caused by blood in the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptomatic Bowel Problems with Liver Diseases

Cirrhosis can cause problems with your bowels. Around 80% of patients with cirrhosis report relevant gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting

Other liver diseases can have similar effects on the bowel. Vomiting and nausea are often reported in patients with liver disease. Blood in your vomit or stool may also be a sign your liver is not working properly — if this occurs, seek prompt medical assistance.

Treatments for Liver Protection

There is no specific medication for treating liver disease or protection. For some, lifestyle changes will be beneficial. For non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, healthcare providers recommend losing 3–5% of your body weight to improve symptoms. It is recommended to do this in a slow, controlled process to avoid worsening symptoms, which can happen with rapid weight loss.

How to Improve Your Liver Health

Minimizing alcohol consumption, washing produce, avoiding products that contain an excess of chemicals and toxins, and good hand hygiene can help reduce the number of toxins the liver has to filter from your bloodstream. Exercising and eating a healthy balanced diet can help reduce the risk of developing fatty liver disease. Thirty minutes of exercise a day and a well-balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables can help with this.

When to See a Doctor

If you have any concerning symptoms, contact your local medical professional. Liver disease is best caught early as the later stages are much more severe. If you are experiencing black, tarry stools or blood in your vomit, seek immediate help.

The Lowdown

Liver disease can have many negative effects on bodily functions, including bowel movements. The best way to assist your bowel movements is to focus on lifestyle changes that improve liver function. These include exercise, weight loss, and minimizing alcohol consumption, among others. Stool can also be a powerful tool in diagnostics. If you notice a different color or texture, it is a good idea to consult a medical professional about what may be causing this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How serious is fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver disease can occur mildly, with reversible symptoms. If left unmanaged, however, it can progress to worse stages that cause irreversible damage to your liver. This could lead to severe liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer and increase your chances of developing heart disease. Your medical professional should be able to assess how serious your disease is and what treatment it requires.

Where do you feel liver pain?

Your liver is located in the upper abdomen on the right-hand side, just under the ribs. Pain from fatty liver disease can feel like a dull throbbing sensation or sometimes sharp pain. It can also create a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen due to the enlargement of the liver and the retention of