Experiencing A Lack Of Appetite And A Bloated Stomach? It May Be A Sign Of Liver Disease

Loss of appetite and a bloated stomach are two of the most frustrating and uncomfortable feelings one could ever have. Basically, these symptoms look minor and are oftentimes really overlooked; however, they might be symptoms of a serious liver disorder. Thus, knowing how these manifestations are correlated with the liver will help in its early detection and treatment.

Dr Pankaj Gupta, Consultant – Robotic, Bariatric, Minimal Access & Gastro- Intestinal Surgery, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, says, “The liver is significant to digestion and metabolic processes because of its filters that obtain nutrients from the food we eat, produce bile for the digestion of fats, and detoxify several harmful substances from the blood. Various digestive problems, like loss of appetite and bloating, ensue in situations where these functions of the liver are impaired. These include hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver diseases, and cancer of the liver, among others.”

How Liver Disease Causes Digestive Symptoms

Loss of appetite – There are several ways in which diseased livers can lead to loss of appetite, and they include:

1. Inflammation and InfectionConditions such as hepatitis can result in infection and inflammation of the liver, thus making the victim feel nausea and a lowered appetite for food.
2. Bile ProductionDecreased secretion of this digestive enzyme limits the digestion of fats, thereby causing fullness and reducing appetite.
3. Metabolic changes due to liver disease can impede the body’s ability to assimilate nutrients, thereby reducing hunger.

Bloating – Liver disease can lead to bloating in the following manner

1. AscitesFluid accumulation in the abdomen is one of the first and most common symptoms of cirrhosis and advanced liver disease, making the stomach visibly swollen.
2. Gastrointestinal SlowdownThis dysfunction of the organ means that the speed of digestion will slow down, thus causing gas and bloating.
3. Protein MetabolismThe impaired proteolysis upsets the blood protein balance, thus causing fluid retention and related bloating.Dr Gupta shares, “If one has a persistent loss of appetite with bloating, then it is a red flag symptom and needs the attention of experts. Especially when combined with others, such as jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss, these symptoms may be the forerunner of hepatic illness. A bloated stomach associated with loss of appetite occurs due to many factors; however, such conditions should not be ignored if they persist.”

   Knowing when these symptoms are connected to liver disease will be very helpful in seeking medical advice and treatment on time. A few treatment options that can be considered are liver transplants, hepatic resections, shunt procedures, hepatobiliary surgery, portal hypertension surgeries, and more.

   Simply put, because a healthy liver flows from a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding extreme alcohol consumption, one can prevent liver diseases by ensuring general health. If at all you feel you have a problem with your liver, seek a health professional for appropriate diagnosis and management; early detection could make a great difference in outcome and quality of life.