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News India Live, Digital Desk: Liver Health : Our liver is a ‘silent factory’ of the body that performs more than 500 functions – from purifying the blood to digesting food and producing energy. But our bad lifestyle, wrong eating habits and drinking habits can have a heavy toll on this factory. The biggest problem of the liver is that it does not show any special symptoms until it gets damaged by 70-80%.
But, the good news is that your body, especially your hands, starts to show some early signs of liver dysfunction. If you recognize these signs in time, you can avoid a major and serious disease.
Let us know about those 5 symptoms seen in the hands, which can be a sign of liver damage and which you should not ignore at all.
1. Redness of palms (Palmar Erythema)
If your palms, especially the fleshy part under the thumb and little finger, often remain red without any reason, it could be a sign of liver problems.
- Why does it happen: It is believed that due to liver damage, the level of estrogen hormone increases in the body, due to which small blood vessels (capillaries) dilate and the palms start appearing red.
2. Whitening of nails (Terry’s Nails)
Look carefully at the nails of your hands. If most of your nail has turned white and only a pink or brown stripe is visible at the top edge, then this condition is called ‘Terry Nails’.
- Why does it happen: Although it can also be a sign of aging, it is often associated with serious liver disease such as cirrhosis. The reason for this may be reduced production of albumin (a type of protein) by the liver.
3. Swelling or thickening of the ends of the fingers (Clubbing)
If the tips of your fingers (where the nails end) are swollen and the nails have turned downwards (like the upside of a spoon), this is called ‘clubbing’.
- Why does it happen: It is also a symptom of lung and heart diseases, but is also often seen in cases of liver cirrhosis. Its exact cause is not known, but it is believed that it occurs due to the increase of certain substances in the blood.
4. Trembling or fluttering of hands (Asterixis or Liver Flap)
If you extend your arms straight out in front and bend your wrists upwards, and your hands start fluttering or trembling like the wings of a bird without stopping, then this is a dangerous sign of serious liver disease. This is called ‘Asterixis’ or ‘Liver Flap’.
- Why does it happen: This happens when a diseased liver is unable to clear toxic substances like ammonia from the blood. When these substances reach the brain, they affect the control of nerves and muscles.
5. Formation of thick lumps under the palms (Dupuytren’s Contracture)
If lumps or thick layers of tissue form under the skin of your palm, especially in line with the ring finger and little finger, causing your fingers to bend inward, this could be ‘Dupuytren’s contracture’.
- Why does it happen: This condition is often associated with liver disease caused by alcohol consumption.
last advice
It is very important to know that any of these symptoms can also be caused by some other reason. But, if you notice more than one of these symptoms in your hands, or are accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, abdominal swelling, and jaundice, then consult a good gastroenterologist (stomach and liver doctor) without any delay.
Your liver is very precious, and it is your responsibility to listen to its silent warnings.
