2. Yellowing of the Skin and Eyes (Jaundice)
Jaundice is one of the most recognizable signs of advanced liver disease. It causes the whites of the eyes and the skin to turn yellow. This happens when bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells, builds up in the body.
A healthy liver processes and removes bilirubin. A damaged liver cannot. Jaundice is often accompanied by dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools. Once jaundice appears, the liver is usually under significant stress and medical evaluation should happen immediately.
3. Unexplained Fatigue and Weakness
Feeling tired after a long day is normal. Feeling exhausted all the time — even after rest — is not. Chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in people with severe liver conditions.