Symptom 4: Nausea and Loss of Appetite: When Food No Longer Appeals
One of the lesser-known but significant signs of liver damage is the experience of persistent nausea and a noticeable loss of appetite. When the liver is compromised, it can disrupt the normal digestion process and impact the body’s ability to process and absorb nutrients from food.
The feeling of nausea can vary in intensity, ranging from a mild discomfort to persistent bouts of queasiness that may lead to vomiting. This sensation can be particularly distressing, as it can disrupt daily activities and diminish the desire to eat.
Accompanying the nausea is often a loss of appetite. The individual may find that food no longer holds its usual appeal, and even the thought of eating can evoke feelings of discomfort or aversion. As a result, there may be a significant decrease in food intake, leading to unintended weight loss and potential nutritional deficiencies.
The exact mechanism behind nausea and loss of appetite in liver damage is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the liver’s role in processing and metabolizing various substances, including bile acids and toxins. When the liver is compromised, these substances may accumulate and trigger the sensation of nausea while also affecting the regulation of hunger and satiety signals.(4)
